Merck Settlement - "The time was right to strike a deal," observes famous defense attorney

A famous defense attorney who sometimes handles BigPharma suits makes this observation about the Merck settlement, off the record:

 "I think the chap from Kirkland had it right (what a frightening utterance!). The time was right to strike a deal. 

"The transaction costs were enormous (if you only knew the total defense costs) and the possibility of just such reversals entered into the plaintiffs' agreement to settle.  We all knew that Judge Higbee's ridiculous rulings would not stand, and that uncertainty closed the settlement gap.  Further, the strain in time, resources, personnel and psychic and emotional energy was crippling the company.  They had to get it behind them and move on - straight into Vytorin as it turned out."

Comments

[vickie clayborn]

what about the people who had heart attacks after they had stopped vioxx? are they gonna get anything from settlement? we are no different from anyone else, we will have heart problems for life, medicines for life, and more medical bills. and i am one that truly beleives vioxx will cause problems with your health for life. and i feel Merck owes everyone that took vioxx and got ill or had stroke or heart attack...