Merck provides useful Vioxx related data

In Merck's chitchat with Wall Street analysts and investors today, a lot of interesting details came out, in particular how aggressively the company plans to fight its customers who spent their hard-earned money to take Vioxx but many of them actually died or were seriously hurt. (Related article: Merck vows to fight Vioxx class action lawsuits vigorously)

1. When asked during the call if Merck had estimated the cost of Vioxx related litigation, the company would not comment, telling analysts that they have to view the claims "with a critical eye." Robert Steyer is reporting that analysts' estimates on Vioxx's liability have gone as high as $55 billion, although many analysts have kept their estimates under $20 billion. (Related article: Sanford Bernstein estimates Merck's Vioxx liabilities to be $38 billion)
2. Merck also informed that the first personal injury trial should begin during the first half of 2005 in Texas or Alabama.
3. There are all kinds of estimates being floated around regarding the number of people who have taken Vioxx in the US and worldwide. Merck now estimates that 105 million U.S. prescriptions were written for Vioxx between May 1999 and August 2004. The company says approximately 20 million people in the U.S. used the drug. The number of foreign patients is unknown. Frazier said Merck has "no reliable estimate" on how many used Vioxx for prolonged periods of time.

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