Pa. AG announces settlement with Merck over Vioxx

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Pennsylvania's attorney general is announcing an $8.3 million settlement with pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. over allegations the company did not properly disclose studies about the risks of Vioxx.

State prosecutors said Friday proceeds from the settlement will be directed to Pennsylvania's prescription assistance program PACE.

Vioxx was pulled from the market nearly a decade ago, following studies that linked it to risks of heart attack and stroke.

Pennsylvania's lawsuit had said it would not have purchased the amount of Vioxx it did if it knew about the studies.

After legal fees and costs, the state will get about $6.9 million for PACE.