The Vioxx Verdict

Jurors in Angleton, Texas have sent a whopping message to the world headquarters of drugmaker Merck in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. That message says "Pay Up."

In a personal injury lawsuit over Merck's one-time wonder-drug, Vioxx, a jury last week delivered a quarter-billion-dollar verdict for Carol Ernst in her husband's death — blaming Merck for selling a drug that had serious heart risks.

What does the 250 million dollar verdict mean for the American public and the future of U.S. pharmaceuticals?

Guests:

Alex Berenson, reporter for The New York Times

Sidney Wolfe, Director of Health Research at Public Citizen, based in DC

Richard Epstein, Professor of Law at University of Chicago.