Training video makes waves in Vioxx trial

There was more drama in the second day of testimony in Merck v. Ernst, the wrongful death Vioxx trial in Texas. Jurors were shown a training video for the company's sales force which instructed employees to dodge probing questions about the drug. It was the first time the video had been shown publicly. Meanwhile, Merck reported a drop in second-quarter earnings this morning, saying net income was down 59 percent due to a repatriation tax charge. Overall drug sales were down 11 percent, largely thanks to the absence of Vioxx. Analysts say the company desperately needs a new drug for its pipeline.

- see this story from The New York Times on the trial
- see this story from The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) on Merck's earnings

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