Notice: Update on Distribution to Court approved Class Members:

First Distribution: October 2018
Second Distribution: January 2020
Third Distribution: October 2020
Fourth Distribution: June 2021
Fifth Distribution: November 2022

Welcome to the Merck (Vioxx) Securities Litigation Website

Please be advised that, on June 28, 2016, the Court granted final approval to the Settlement of this Action reached by Lead Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the Settlement Class (defined below), and Defendants. The Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement dated February 8, 2016 can be viewed and downloaded from this website.

The Settlement provides for a payment of $830 million (the “Settlement Class Fund”) for the benefit of the Settlement Class, and an additional $232 million (the “Fee/Expense Fund”) from which Court-awarded Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and Litigation Expenses and the fees of the Special Master appointed by the Court shall be paid. To the extent the Court’s award of attorneys’ fees and Litigation Expenses and the Special Master fees total less than $232 million, the balance of the Fee/Expense Fund will be credited to the Settlement Class Fund.

If you are a member of the Settlement Class, your rights will be affected and you may be eligible for a payment from the proceeds of the Settlement. The Settlement Class, which is slightly broader than the class previously certified by the Court (see Notice of Pendency of Class Action), consists of:

all persons and entities who, from May 21, 1999 through October 29, 2004, inclusive (the “Settlement Class Period”), purchased or otherwise acquired Merck & Co., Inc. common stock or call options on Merck Common Stock, or sold put options on Merck Common Stock, except for certain persons and entities who are excluded from the Settlement Class by definition as set forth in paragraph 1(bbb) of the Stipulation


Please read the Settlement Notice to fully understand your rights. A copy of the Settlement Notice can be found in the menu at the left of this page.

If you have any questions about the proposed Settlement, or your eligibility to participate in the Settlement, please DO NOT contact any Defendant in the Action or their counsel. Any questions you may have should be directed to the Claims Administrator or Co-Lead Counsel identified on this website.

Payments to eligible claimants will be made only after any appeals that may be taken are resolved, and after the completion of all claims processing. Please be patient, as this process will take some time to complete.