TWO Liverpool law firms are at the front of a national campaign for the hundreds of British victims of an arthritis drug that it is believed caused them severe health problems including heart attacks and strokes.
Goodmans and MSB are two of five solicitors’ firms representing victims of the drug Vioxx and who are calling for last-minute government intervention to bring legal proceedings against international pharmeceutical company Merck.
Merck recently came to a multi-billion dollar settlement with its American victims but is refusing to do the same to those outside the US.
Time is running out before the limitation day for proceedings in May.
In UK, over 400,000 people were prescribed arthritis painkiller Vioxx before its withdrawal from the market in 2004 after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Some 500 UK victims, including dozens on Merseyside, are continuing to fight for compensation.
Ian Cohen, a partner at Goodmans solicitors has been representing Vioxx victims for two years.
He said: “It shouldn’t matter if you are in the US, the UK, or Australia – it is in the interests of justice that these individuals are compensated. We are trying to build up some political pressure, as much as anything to get the government to force the manufacturers to come round the table and talk to us.
“It is the State having to pick up the medical bills for those who have suffered. Merck sold the drug, we say, knowing the risks. in turn, they’re taking the profits and refusing to face the consequences. We think that is inequitable.
“But without concerted pressure we are not going to be able to take it much further.�
Gerard Dervan, partner at MSB Solicitors, said Merck had gone “out of its way� to exclude non-US nationals from its settlement claim and the resulting situation is “manifestly unfair�.
He said: “It is a total disregard for UK sufferers. It is terrible that people who took Vioxx on the advice of their GP that is was a safe product have ended up suffering heart attacks and strokes.�
Public legal funding is not available for claims against Merck, and personal insurance for clients to persue a case privately is likely to be seen as too much of a risk for companies who may have to bear the brunt of costs to the tune of millions in the event of losing the case against the pharmeceutical giant. Merck have stated its intention to fight every UK case individually – which it did not do in America – with the apparent outcome of pricing victims out of taking the company on.