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WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck has extended its enrollment deadline for eligible claimants with cases filed or tolled by Nov. 9, 2007, that are wishing to be part of the deal to resolve state and federal Vioxx-related myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke claims to June 30.

Merck extended the deadlines to allow claimants and their counsel additional time to complete the enrollment process and for the claims administrator and for the company to continue to verify the completeness and compliance of enrollment materials received so far.

In 2007, Merck recorded a pretax charge of $4.85 billion, which represents the fixed amount to be paid by the company to settle qualifying claims.

As of March 31, the claims administrator reports more than 28,250 eligible MI claimants have initiated enrollment and more than 16,750 eligible IS claimants have initiated enrollment. These numbers do not include an additional 5,500 enrollees whose eligibility has yet to be determined.