Drugmaker Merck & Co. said Thursday that it has reached a deal to settle all lawsuits in Canada over its recalled painkiller Vioxx, for up to 36.9 million Canadian dollars ($36.5 million). Merck and attorneys representing hundreds of Vioxx users in Canada said the final payment will be at least $21.6 million and could go as high as $36.5 million. Merck and representatives of the plaintiffs have signed the agreement, which is awaiting approval by courts in Canada’s provinces. Individual plaintiffs will get payments based on the injuries claimed, how long they took Vioxx and other factors.
