Merck to settle Vioxx lawsuits for nearly $5 billion

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck has agreed to pay almost $5 billion to settle almost 50,000 lawsuits concerning Vioxx, the painkiller implicated in severe cardiovascular side effects, the company announced Thursday.

Merck will begin cutting the checks totaling $4.85 billion next month. The settlement adds to the $1.53 billion the company has paid in legal costs.

As of Thursday, Merck said that of the 49,960 people eligible for the settlement, 48,550 had claimed one.