Fosamax lawsuits are getting Merck’s attention

By Austin Kirk
Posted February 25, 2007

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 4

Fosamax lawsuits are pending in courts across the country for users of the popular osteoporosis drug who have suffered serious jaw side effects.  Recently Merck, the maker of Fosamax, announced that they have set aside nearly $50 million dollars to cover the initial defense costs associated with the litigation.

Fosamax side effects increase the risk of a rare condition, osteonecrosis of the jaw.  The osteoporosis drug could cause irreversible jaw decay, where sections of the bone actually die and may need to be surgically removed.   Individuals suffering from the painful and disfiguring condition may be forced to live the rest of their lives unable to chew solid foods, or with portions of exposed jaw bone inside of their mouth.

>>MORE INFORMATION: Fosamax side effects

During a recent conference call with financial analysts, Merck announced for the first time that money has been set aside to litigate the Fosamax lawsuits.  Currently around 100 Fosamax cases have been filed in court.  The first Fosamax trials are expected to begin in 2008.

Merck is also currently involved in Vioxx litigation.  Since the recall of Vioxx in 2001, nearly 27,400 lawsuits have been filed against Merck for the defective pain killer.  The manufacturer has indicated that they intend to defend each Vioxx lawsuit and they have set aside nearly a billion dollars in defense costs, rather than making good faith attempts to negotiate a settlement.  So far, the verdicts in Vioxx trials have been split, but when the Plaintiff wins it usually results in multi-million dollar verdicts.  Financial experts agree that Merck will be ruined if they continue to insist on litigating every Vioxx case.  If one of the lawsuits were decided each day, it would take over 60 years to litigate all of the pending cases. 

FOSAMAX LITIGATION

Problems with Fosamax began to surface over the past five years.  Dentists and oral surgeons have noticed more and more cases of osteonecoris of the jaw, which previously was rarely if ever encountered.  Merck has known that their osteoporosis drug could increase the risk of jaw decay, yet they failed to warn of this potential side effect and have continued to minimize the danger in an attempt to protect their sales. 

Many experts have expressed concern regarding the long-term problems which may be encountered with osteonecrosis of the jaw, since Merck is still not doing enough to warn consumers of the Fosamax jaw problems.  Despite the problems with Fosamax side effects, sales for the popular osteoporosis drug exceeded $750 million during the fourth quarter of 2006 alone. 

>>RELATED POST 10/17/06: Fosamax jaw bone decay
problems likely to increase

The cumulative effect of using the drug for a long period of time has led to the increases in reports of Fosamax jaw problems.  As the dental community becomes more familiar with the problems, steps have been taken to avoid dental work for patients taking Fosamax.  A warning was recently issued by the American Association of Endodontists that all dental surgeons should use care to determine if their patients are taking Fosamax before performing any dental work, since minor traumas could aggravate osteonecrosis of the jaw.

FOSAMAX LAWYERS

The Fosamax lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals injured by Fosamax side effects nationwide.  Cases are being pursued for osteoporosis patients who have been diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw or suffered jaw problems.

>> INFORMATION:  Fosamax Jaw Decay Symptoms

If you, a friend or family member have taken Fosamax and experienced jaw decay or symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw, request a free claim evaluation.