WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) - Merck & Co. said Thursday it has extended the deadline for eligible claimants seeking to be included in the company's $4.85 billion Vioxx painkiller settlement to June 30.
Merck said the extension would allow claimants and their counsel additional time to complete the enrollment process and for the claims administrator and the company to continue to verify the completeness and compliance of enrollment materials received so far.
Merck pulled Vioxx from the market after in 2004 after the product was linked to multiple fatal heart attacks and strokes. As of March 31, more than 45,000 people have initiated settlement claims.
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