Oregon Vioxx victims unable to sue Merck

It is very unfortunate that the residents of the state of Oregon have to live with the fact their lives are less important than drug industry profits because the politicians are in bed with pharma companies like Merck and Pfizer. Like their fellow citizens in Michigan, they too have been denied the right to sue a drugmaker if it sells dangerous or even deadly drugs. The issue became more important after the recall of Vioxx by Merck. (Related article: Michigan and Texas victims can not sue Merck in Vioxx and Bextra recall cases)

While most Americans and even nationals of other countries worldwide are able to seek damages for personal injuries from American companies, some states in the US are unable to do so because these states have passed laws that favor drug companies rather than their own people.

Senator Charlie Ringo of Oregon State put it very clearly while speaking to Niki Sullivan of The Associated Press, "The power of the pharmaceutical lobby prevailed." The pharmaceutical lobby is so powerful in the United States that it is next to impossible to make any laws that hurt them even if they go against the interests of American people. Particularly with the Republican majorities in Washington, it is simply impossible for them to act against pharma companies since they receive almost all of the campaign contributions that drugmakers make.

Oregon victims were hoping that they would be able to sue Merck and also join Bextra class action lawsuits but it appears that the bill may be all but dead for now.

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