Merck Pays $400 Million In National Medicaid Fraud Settlement;
New Investigation Model Ends Seven-Year Qui Tam Whistleblower Case
 

The Drugs

Throughout the drugfraudsettlement.com Web site there is mention that this case against Merck involved its drugs Vioxx®, the discontinued arthritis drug, and Zocor®, a statin, which lost its patent protection in 2006.

However, as alleged in the federal case, Merck employed its illegal marketing practices (MD Kickbacks, Consultant Meetings) to promote several other drugs, including Cozaar®, Fosamax®, Maxalt®, and Singulair®.

This table briefly describes each of these Merck products:

Merck DrugPrimary PurposeNature of Condition
Cozaar®Reduce high blood pressureChronic
Fosamax®Prevent loss of bone densityChronic
Maxalt®Treat migraine headachesAcute
Singulair®Control asthma and reduce asthma attacksChronic
Vioxx®Treat arthritis and joint painChronic
Zocor®Reduce risk of heart diseaseChronic