Will Vioxx Put Merck and Us Down the Drain?

This article is about how the Vioxx trials will affect not only the drug company that manufactured the unsafe drug, called Merck, but also all of us... Vioxx was the Merck drug that was recalled from the selves last year because it increased the people's chances of having a heart attack. There were several people that died from these heart attacks and many that are bringing their cases before a jury to collect damages from Merck. Merck is the third largest drug company, but these trials may end up hurting the company a lot. Not only is Merck having to pay damages to the families that were negatively affected by Vioxx, but many employees will end up losing their jobs because of the losses that the company will suffer, which is millions and what could be billions of dollars. The problem with all of this, and even though Merck is fully aware of and should pay damages, is that there is a chance that the company will have to cut back expenses and employees. This company and this field of drug manufacturing is important to us. These are the companies that manufacture effective drugs that help us live and overcome diseases. Merck could be laying off people that will one day come up with a cure for cancer or AIDS. This is a very serious problem, especially because these drugs and other ones will be important as we ourselves get older and are prone to more diseases and illness. Should there be a smaller cap on the damages that Merck has to pay to families that is regulated by the government? What are other costs that Merck and us face because of the people going to trial over this? Do you think it is fair that people are going to trial over the Vioxx and gaining millions and billions of dollars? Is it more beneficial for families for receive damages or employees to keep their jobs (and in turn help society)?