Merck CEO says any Vioxx settlements years away

By Bill Berkrot

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck & Co. (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Chief Executive Richard Clark said on Wednesday it could be several years before it considers settling thousands of lawsuits brought by people who claim to have been harmed by its withdrawn arthritis drug Vioxx.

In addition, Clark told the Reuters Health Summit in New York that Merck was still looking into bringing Vioxx back to the market.

"We're still evaluating that, and trying to make a final decision," Clark said, adding that he gets letters all the time from patients saying that Vioxx was the only thing that helped their pain.

"Their lifestyles have changed" without Vioxx, he said.

Merck pulled Vioxx from the market in September 2004 after a study showed prolonged use doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke.

At last count, Merck was facing nearly 24,000 Vioxx lawsuits and the company has steadfastly insisted that it will fight each case in court individually rather than consider a large-scale settlement.

"We know our strategy is right. It's case by case, day by day, jury by jury," Clark said.

"We have won more cases than we've lost, so there's no reason to settle this," he added.  Continued...