Merck Settles Vioxx Criminal Charges With US for $322 Million

US pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck & Co. has settled criminal charges over the company's marketing of its painkiller drug Vioxx, reports Bloomberg.

Merck will pay a $321.6 million criminal fine after US District Judge Patti Saris approved the settlement. This fine is in addition to a $628.3 million in civil claims paid out in November 2011, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Merck was charged with promoting Vioxx, a rheumatoid arthritis drug, illegally despite lacking approval for that condition from the US Food and Drug Administration, reports Reuters.

The case, settled 19 April, was the last standing litigation open against the company, which has already paid billions in fines over the drug's promotion and use, reports Bloomberg.

Read more:

Bloomberg - Merck Unit's Plea Over Vioxx Investigation Accepted by Judge

Reuters - Merck ordered to pay $321 million in criminal Vioxx probe

The Philadelphia Inquirer - Merck Vioxx fines reach $950 million