Carriers Agree To Help Vioxx Patients

A federal judge in New Orleans has approved a settlement that will direct a large share of a prescription drug liability settlement to participating patients, rather than to the health insurers’ that paid for the patients’ care.

U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon has approved the settlement, which involves thousands of patients in the Vioxx Settlement Program and more than 100 private health insurers.

The patients took Vioxx, a pain medication made by Merck & Company Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J. Lawyers for the class say the patients suffered heart attacks, strokes and sudden heart-related deaths as a result of taking the drug.