Press Releases & Statements on Drug Safety

Latest Vioxx Revelation Is Message to Congress on Bird Flu: Don’t give immunity to negligent drug companies

December 12— On Thursday, the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that the authors of a Merck-funded study of Vioxx altered the results to conceal that three additional patients in the study suffered heart attacks while using the drug. “The revelation that Merck altered the results of a Vioxx study is yet more evidence that Merck hid the dangers of Vioxx and yet another reason Congress should reject Merck’s demand for special liability protections for its vaccines,” said Ken Suggs, President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Full Press Release

Best Way to Protect Americans from Flu Is Produce Safe Vaccines

November 1— In response to President Bush's attack on the civil justice system, AAJ President Ken Suggs said "If President Bush were really interested in protecting the public’s safety, he would not be calling for the elimination of important legal protections that hold negligent corporations accountable if they give people deadly vaccines. Companies who engage in gross negligence shouldn’t get special protections." Full Statement

Fact Remains - Merck Knowingly Kept Deadly Drug Vioxx on the Market

November 3— Today the jury in the New Jersey Vioxx case found Merck not liable for the heart attack suffered by Frederick “Mike” Humeston.“The verdict in this case doesn’t change the fact that Merck knowingly kept a deadly drug on the market and should be held accountable,” said Ken Suggs, President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Full Press Release

Vioxx Verdict's Message: "Safety Before Sales"

August 30— Evidence from the Vioxx trial shows that Merck executives abused their power by putting a drug on the market they knew was unsafe and even deadly. Carol Ernst's last resort was the civil justice system and her attorney made sure she had a fair shake against Merck's corporate defense lawyers. Vioxx Press Kit

House Passes Giveaway to Pharmaceutical and Insurance Industries

July 28— Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a medical malpractice bill (H.R. 5) that does nothing to help doctors with high insurance rates but gives sweeping liability protections to drug companies that knowingly market deadly drugs like Vioxx. Full Press Release

All AAJ Press Releases