Vioxx going before Senate

A Senate panel opened hearings in Washington, D.C., Thursday into Vioxx, the blockbuster painkiller that Merck pulled off the market in September due to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes. Merck officials claim that they pulled the drug off the market as soon as they had proof of health risks. However, the Senate Finance Committee claims they have evidence that Merck may have known there were serious safety concerns about the drug before it was pulled from the market. Merck is expected to face a flood of lawsuits from people who believe they were injured or a family member died because of the drug.