One of the most popular in the COX-2 class, Vioxx - used by tens of millions of people worldwide - was pulled off the market last October. This decision came shortly after medical conference where FDA researcher David Graham showed higher doses of Vioxx correlated with a tripled risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death compared to people who weren't taking any similar drug.

The Vioxx pills that an Alabama widow claims caused her husband's death Sept. 4, 2001, were not on the market until a half year later.

The Federal Vioxx cases took a major step forward on Friday when U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon selected a plaintiffs steering committee that includes an Alabama lawyer as co-lead counsel.

The Federal Vioxx cases took a major step forward on Friday when U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon selected a plaintiffs steering committee that includes an Alabama lawyer as co-lead counsel.

In a pretrial order issued today, Judge Fallon of the United States District Court in Louisiana appointed Mr. Birchfield of Beasley Allen as co-lead counsel with regard to pending Vioxx products liability litigation.

The federal Vioxx cases took a major step forward when U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon selected a plaintiffs steering committee that will help shepherd what is expected to be lengthy and complex litigation.

Since Merck withdrew its blockbuster painkilling drug Vioxx from the market last September, saying it increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes, the company has been deluged by lawsuits. One law firm alone, alone, among hundreds across the nation handling Vioxx cases, has received more than 10,000 inquiries from the drug.

Pfizer (the manufacturer of Celebrex and Bextra) suspended sales of their arthritis drug, Bextra, following a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unfortunately, this move may have come too late for thousands of people that have suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking this medication.

Mardi Gras is over, and the college kids on spring break have left New Orleans. But the Big Easy can rest assured: The Vioxx bar has taken their place.

Judicial Panel on Multi-district Litigation sent pending product liability litigation involving Merck & Co., Inc.'s Vioxx drug to Judge Eldon Fallon of the Eastern District of Louisiana.