WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) – Drugmaker Merck & Co. says a federal court jury has ruled in its favor in the second trial over whether its osteoporosis drug made teeth and jawbones deteriorate.
The company says the New York jury ruled unanimously against 69-year-old Louise Maley of Muncie, Ind.
She blamed her dental problems on Fosamax, a widely used osteoporosis pill she took for about eight years. Merck says she had multiple medical conditions that can trigger jaw and dental problems.
Merck faces more than 1,350 other lawsuits by people alleging Fosamax has damaged jawbones and teeth.
Fosamax and other drugs in the same class have been linked to some cases of such damage, usually after tooth extraction.
Fosamax, a former blockbuster, is sold generically as alendronate.
Date: May 5, 2010
Source: Associated Press
