Not to change the subject but did you see the award today of a jury against Merck and their drug Vioxx? This man appeared to be in his late 60's and died of a heart attack using Vioxx for 8 months for pain. The defense maintained he had clogged arteries, which I suppose he did, thats something the autopsy would of course proven. BUT, EVEN if Vioxx was the SOLE CAUSE the award was ridiculous. The widow was awarded 253,000,000 DOLLARS. Thats over a QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS. The breakdown was 450,000 for the gents earnings, 22,000,000 for the widows pain and suffering and around 230,000,000 for PUNITIVE DAMAGES. There are about 1,000 cases against Merck, this was the first. Merck may be put out of business, but it isnt MERCK thats being punished, its YOU AND ME and the nation as a whole. Merck was an important drug company, just as vaccines are no longer produced in America, drugs will go offshore too. Costs will be astronomical, shortages etc etc.
This is so damn ridiculous. jdn |
