Friday, February 27, 2009

Why Vioxx Suit May Make Drug Makers Shape Up

Byron Richards from medicationresources.com has written a very interesting post entitled, "Vioxx Shocker-Merck Wrote Many Of the Published Studies." Needless to say, he had me at hello on this one. After a few weeks of researching the cover-ups and shoddy scientific testing of dangerous drugs such as Heparin and Trasylol, this post solidified in my mind why it is so important for victims of these drugs to come forward and file suit. 

Richards reports:

The lawsuits over Vioxx have forced very uncomfortable documents into public view, exposing that Big Pharma has massively corrupted the scientific database with what amounts to promo pieces written by its own employees who then pay for prestigious doctors to attach their names to the studies as if they are legitimate - hiding the fact the drug companies wrote their own studies and conclusions in the first place. 

The interesting thing about this post is that Richards is not a lawyer. He is an unbiased author writing on medical wellness. Yet he clearly sees the link between Vioxx lawsuits and the exposure of documents that clearly show the corruption behind the marketing of dangerous drug products. Sadly, without the constant probing from lawyers and the courts, who knows what other incriminating studies actually exist regarding popular prescription drugs.

And while its already too late for the thousands of people that have died from dangerous drugs such as Vioxx, Trasylol and now Heparin, it"s not too late to demand better scientific research and honest marketing procedures by holding these companies accountable via the court system. Admittedly, litigation is not fun. It"s often a long and emotional process for families and attorneys alike. But it"s the only solution. As I noted in my previous post on the Trasylol recalls, Congress will not get involved unless it is in their best interest to do so. Right now it"s in their best interest to let shady testing and marketing procedures continue because the "donations" from drug companies keep them in office. So if we can"t count on Washington, we have to go right to the source and demand more from these pharmaceutical giants by filing suit and making it financially impractical to continue doing business this way.

Unfortunately, what these companies do not realize is that when safety is put first, the profits will come. Look at Volvo. Their cars are ugly, they are expensive but they are known to be safe. And because of their clear desire to protect people, they are tremendously successful. Pharmaceutical companies may have to spend a bit more at the onset of a drug launch for better testing, etc., but the profits will be huge because Americans will put their trust behind the product. So if there are any Big Pharma executives reading this post, consider a consumer friendly way of doing business before the public forces you out of the market via lawsuits and bad press.

John R.Mininno is a Trasylol lawyer in NJ and a medical malpractice lawyer in NJ and PA. For further information or a free case evaluation, click here to contact an NJ Medical Malpractice Attorney or PA Medical Malpractice Attorney

How to Get Vioxx Lawsuit Funding - Legal Cash Advance?

Plaintiffs involved in Vioxx, Fen-Phen and Zyprexa product liability lawsuits do not realize they can now get legal cash advance or lawsuit funding, while they are waiting for their lawsuit settlement money. It is called lawsuit funding and often referred as lawsuit loan, legal cash advance, legal finance, legal financing, litigation financing, pending lawsuit loan, lawsuit cash advance and lawsuit advance funding.

Vioxx is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) developed by Merck & Co. to treat osteoarthritis, acute pain conditions, and dysmenorrhoea. Vioxx was approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 20, 1999. Vioxx was supposed to be the super aspirin and block buster arthritis drug that would relieve pain safely.

On September 30, 2004, the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. had pulled Vioxx from the market following study results confirming earlier concerns that Vioxx increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and stroke. 

Vioxx was sold around the world and in all it was taken by about 20m people. A large percentage of these people suffered drastic side effects including blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke. Nearly 4,200 individual and class action Vioxx lawsuits were filed in U.S.A. 

Vioxx lawsuits fall under a category known as products liability, claiming that the manufacturers of Vioxx (Vioxx lawsuit defendants) or their distributors knew that the drug could cause harm. Merck has reserved $970 million to pay for its Vioxx-related legal expenses through 2007.

It does not seem fair for the plaintiffs, that even if they would win their Vioxx settlement lawsuit, they may lose because too little settlement money comes in too late. They need money now. Most of the plaintiffs, because of their medical conditions have missed work or lost their jobs. They have to pay their mortgage/ rent, medical bills, car payments and other monthly bills. Unfortunately their options are very limited.

But now this new risk free Vioxx lawsuit settlement funding or litigation financing program is great help to Vioxx product liability lawsuit plaintiffs. With a legal cash advance or pending lawsuit loan, on your Vioxx lawsuit settlement, you reduce the financial and emotional stress on you and your family. 

But in true sense, these are not loans because the money does not have to be paid back unless the case is won or settled. These are non- recourse legal cash advances. It carries no risk because Vioxx product liability lawsuit plaintiffs pay only when they get their Vioxx settlement money from Defendant Company. 

Litigation financing or so called Lawsuit loan can help them buy some time with a legal cash advance on their Vioxx product liability lawsuit settlement. 

Vioxx Lawsuit Funding or Lawsuit Loan: How does it work? 

There are many advantages of Vioxx lawsuit funding or litigation financing Program. The process to receive lawsuit loan or legal cash advance is risk free & simple. There are no monthly payments. The total process is confidential, prompt and discreet.

1. Making an application for lawsuit funding or pending lawsuit loan is free and there is no obligation. A good and reputed litigation financing company should not charge any upfront fee or any application fee, processing fee or any monthly fee.

2. Plaintiff may have a bad or no credit. No employment requirement is required to apply for a lawsuit loan or lawsuit funding.

3. Quick and thorough underwriting process to qualify client (some times in 6-8 hours).

4. If approved for lawsuit funding or legal cash advance, funds are wired into your bank account, the same day. Of course, you can take a bank check also. 

5. Plaintiff payback upon successful settlement/verdict of case.

6. If plaintiff loses case, plaintiff owes nothing to litigation financing or lawsuit funding company.

They can use the lawsuit loan or legal cash advance in any way they like. They can use the money for living expenses; pay their bills, mortgage/ rent / car payments, medical treatment, education expenses. As a matter of fact use it any way they like.