FDAnews Drug Daily Bulletin

Merck received written notification from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts that it is the focus of a grand jury investigation related to its withdrawn Cox-2 inhibitor Vioxx. The Justice Department’s investigation regarding Vioxx (rofecoxib) already had been disclosed, Merck says in a statement. Merck may face a substantial settlement if Pfizer’s recent $2.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts for promotion of Cox-2 inhibitor Bextra (valdecoxib) is any indicator.
Washington Drug Letter