Residents of Stockport left stranded by Drug Company

2.02.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Jun 2008

Vioxx tablets

Scores of Stockport residents suffering disastrous side effects after taking prescription pain killers could finally be in line for a big pay out.

The drug Vioxx was taken off the market in 2004 after trials showed it significantly increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes for users. While the pharmaceutical company that produced the drug, Merck, has put three billion dollars into a compensation fund for those affected in the United States, they have refused help to patients in the UK.

After raising the issue in Parliament Local MP Andrew Stunell has got a promise from Minister for Health, Ivan Lewis, to take up the case with the pharmaceutical company and ensure a fair deal for the patients affected.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"Having spoken to constituents of mine who have had first hand experience of the side-effects of Vioxx, I am determined that their plight should not go unheard.

"Big pharma must be made to face up to its liabilities to patients here in the UK as well as in the United States.

"Now that the Government has acknowledged the suffering of Vioxx victims, I hope that they can finally get the compensation they deserve."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For a transcript of the discussion between the Health Minister and Mr. Stunell please see the following link:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080617/debtext/80617-0002.htm#column_798

2. In UK, over 400,000 people have been prescribed Vioxx with 500 UK victims continuing to fight for compensation for the health effects of the drug on themselves or a family member.

3. For more information please see: http://www.vioxxvictims.co.uk/