Merck's first witness testifies in Vioxx trial

NEW ORLEANS Merck began its defense of its once-popular pain reliever Vioxx in a New Orleans courtroom yesterday, discussing internal studies that suggested the drug would not cause heart trouble.Merck research doctor Briggs Morrison said while Vioxx seemed to reduce an enzyme that keeps blood flowing, Merck studies on rabbits injected with Vioxx showed that enzyme was not present in blood vessels, and therefore would not lead to heart attacks.
Testimony will continue today in first federal Vioxx lawsuit, after an earlier trial over the death of Floridian Richard "Dickie" Irvin ended in a hung jury.
Irvin's widow claims Merck rushed Vioxx to market and hid its dangers from the public.
Merck says Irvin had a history of cardiac trouble.