Health Blog : Merck's Vioxx Warrior Gets Promoted: "Merck’s general counsel Kenneth C. Frazier (pictured) becomes the latest lawyer to move from the staff ranks to a major operating role at a big drug maker. Pfizer’s CEO Jeff Kindler made the jump from the legal suite a year ago.
Frazier, architect of Merck’s defense against Vioxx lawsuits, is being promoted to president for global human health, the company said today.
It’s a big-time job. Starting Aug. 1, he’ll oversee more than 30,000 Merck workers and sales and marketing for the company world-wide. He replaces Peter L�scher, who recently left the company to become CEO of Siemens.
Frazier, 52, has won points among Merck defenders for his tell-it-to-the-judge style. He hasn’t settled any of the roughly 27,000 Vioxx lawsuits filed against the company following the withdrawal of the pain medicine. So far, the company has won 10 cases and lost five.
Frazier’s replacement as general counsel is Bruce Kuhlik, who joined the company in 2005 to help deal with the Vioxx litigation. He previously worked for PhRMA, the drug industry trade group."
