Pfizer to pay $6.3 mln to patient in Prempro lawsuit

scotty · 11-21-2009, 11:29 AM

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssH...0091121?rpc=60

* Jury finds punitive damages are warranted

* Verdict is largest so far in Philadelphia cases

* Jury to reconvene on damages on Monday

LOS ANGELES, Nov 20 (Reuters) - A Philadelphia jury on Friday ordered pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (PFE.N) to pay $6.3 million in compensatory damages to an Illinois breast cancer survivor after finding menopause drugs Premarin, Provera and Prempro caused the disease.

The panel also found that punitive damages are warranted because of willful and wanton conduct by Pfizer units Wyeth and Pharmacia & Upjohn in failing to warn Donna Kendall about risks associated with the drugs, said her attorney Tobias Millrood.

The jury meets on Monday to decide on additional damages.

The award is the largest so far of about three dozen Prempro cases tried in Philadelphia, out of about 1,500 pending lawsuits, Millrood said.

Pfizer said it was "disappointed" by the verdict and would evaluate its legal options as soon as the case concludes.

The drug companies have prevailed in most hormone therapy cases spurred by the 2002 Women's Health Initiative finding that long-term use of the menopause drugs increases women's breast cancer and cardiovascular disease risks.

Kendall, 66, of Decatur, Illinois, had been taking Wyeth's Prempro as well as Provera, sold by Pfizer's Phamacia unit for a total of 11 years when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, Millrood said.

Wyeth was the original defendant in hundreds of personal liability cases involving the hormone replacement therapy drugs. But with its $67 billion acquisition of that company, completed last month, Pfizer inherited Wyeth's legal headaches as well as its drug portfolio and promising pipeline.

Wyeth and Pharmacia & Upjohn have argued at trial that the drugs were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The case is Kendall v. Wyeth et al, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. (With additional reporting by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Gary Hill)

jule1 · 11-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Doesn't surprise me those Wyeth dirty dogs!! And why can't I sue Wyeth??

11-21-2009, 11:29 AM	#1
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 40,828	Pfizer to pay $6.3 mln to patient in Prempro lawsuit http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssH...0091121?rpc=60 * Jury finds punitive damages are warranted * Verdict is largest so far in Philadelphia cases * Jury to reconvene on damages on Monday LOS ANGELES, Nov 20 (Reuters) - A Philadelphia jury on Friday ordered pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (PFE.N) to pay $6.3 million in compensatory damages to an Illinois breast cancer survivor after finding menopause drugs Premarin, Provera and Prempro caused the disease. The panel also found that punitive damages are warranted because of willful and wanton conduct by Pfizer units Wyeth and Pharmacia & Upjohn in failing to warn Donna Kendall about risks associated with the drugs, said her attorney Tobias Millrood. The jury meets on Monday to decide on additional damages. The award is the largest so far of about three dozen Prempro cases tried in Philadelphia, out of about 1,500 pending lawsuits, Millrood said. Pfizer said it was "disappointed" by the verdict and would evaluate its legal options as soon as the case concludes. The drug companies have prevailed in most hormone therapy cases spurred by the 2002 Women's Health Initiative finding that long-term use of the menopause drugs increases women's breast cancer and cardiovascular disease risks. Kendall, 66, of Decatur, Illinois, had been taking Wyeth's Prempro as well as Provera, sold by Pfizer's Phamacia unit for a total of 11 years when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, Millrood said. Wyeth was the original defendant in hundreds of personal liability cases involving the hormone replacement therapy drugs. But with its $67 billion acquisition of that company, completed last month, Pfizer inherited Wyeth's legal headaches as well as its drug portfolio and promising pipeline. Wyeth and Pharmacia & Upjohn have argued at trial that the drugs were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The case is Kendall v. Wyeth et al, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. (With additional reporting by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Gary Hill) __________________ AKA Laurie "By ignoring the environmental factors the psychiatric profession gives itself complete job security by diagnosing life as a mental illness. The only people who will not qualify for a disorder are those who are dead." Joseph Arpaia, MD

11-21-2009, 01:24 PM	#2
jule1 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,914	Re: Pfizer to pay $6.3 mln to patient in Prempro lawsuit Doesn't surprise me those Wyeth dirty dogs!! And why can't I sue Wyeth?? __________________ Was on Effexor (150mg) @January? of 2006 until January 1, 2008. Weaned off over 3 month period with no instructions of weaning from doctor. 24 months off Effexor January 2010 and still protracted withdrawal Supplements: Tryptophan, Magnesium, Fish Oil, Calcium D, Stress B Complex, Ashwagandha, tapering .5 mg Xanax at bedtime 2/15-.4375mg 3/12-.375 mg 4/5-.3125 mg 4/23-.25 mg 5/21-.1875 mg 6/17-.125 mg 7/13-.0625mg 8/29-0

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