09.26.12
Merck & Co. agreed to pay between $3 million and $10 million to settle a class-action suit involving Coppertone sunscreen, which the drug maker inherited when it acquired rival Schering-Plough in 2009, according to The Wall Street Journal.
As part of the settlement, which was filed Friday in a New Jersey district court, Merck also agreed to stop using the terms "sunblock," "waterproof," "sweatproof," "all day" or "all day protection" in its labeling or advertising of Coppertone sunscreen products manufactured after June for sale in the U.S.
On its website, Coppertone currently uses terms such as "water resistant" and "stays on strong when you sweat."
Merck settled the lawsuits despite the fact that its products meet the broad-spectrum sun protection standards from the US Food and Drug Administration. In announcing the settlement, Merck denied all allegations of wrongdoing and liability, but said it wanted to settle to avoid "the burden, expense, risk and uncertainty" of continuing litigation.
Merck settled the lawsuits despite the fact that its products meet the broad-spectrum sun protection standards from the US Food and Drug Administration. In announcing the settlement, Merck denied all allegations of wrongdoing and liability, but said it wanted to settle to avoid "the burden, expense, risk and uncertainty" of continuing litigation.
Merck will also pay as much as $1.50 for each eligible Coppertone sunscreen product bought from July 2006 that is submitted to the settlement.