The threshold of claimants necessary for a multi-billion dollar drug industry settlement to proceed will likely be reached, reports the Associated Press. A $4.5 billion deal was hammered out to settle claims associated with Vioxx, an anti-inflammatory drug made by Merck. Merck had threatened to withdraw from the settlement if 85% of claimants did not sign on. The average payment to each claimant, who must have suffered a heart attack, stroke, or death in order to be eligible, will probably exceed $200,000. The AP reports that Merck has not admitted any wrongdoing in the settlement.