Linda Secrest, 59, has filed suit against Merck & Co. in federal court in Fort Myers, FL. Ms. Secrest is accusing Merck of failing to warn doctors and patients that Fosamax, the most-prescribed osteoporosis treatment in the U.S. for post-menopausal women, could hamper blood flow to the jaw. Ms. Secrest was diagnosed with jawbone tissue death, or osteonecrosis, in 2005, an irreversible condition.

In July of 2005, the FDA requested that Merck add a warning notice to the labeling for Fosamax warning of the risk of jawbone necrosis. Merck claims that the risk of jawbone necrosis to patients on Fosamax is rare. Ms. Secrest’s suit seeks to represent more than 10 million Fosamax users and it the second of a rumored 200 lawsuits that may be filed in Florida on behalf of Fosamax users.

Ms. Secrest is seeking a change in the prescribing information given by Merck to doctors who recommend Fosamax to their patients and wants Merck to pay for the cost of monitoring her jawbone necrosis.

Source: “Merck Sued Over Fosamax Health Risks,” Bloomberg.com, April 11, 2006.