In 2000, after a study raised concerns of a possible connection with hemorrhagic stroke, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of phenylopropanolamine (PPA), a stimulant long widely used in over-the-counter decongestants like Alka-Seltzer Plus and Contac, as well as in appetite suppressants. Lawyers rushed to file suits blaming drugmakers for strokes and other ills suffered by persons who had used the once near-ubiquitous compound (see Apr. 6-8, 2001; Oct. 28, 2003). Earlier this spring the Los Angeles Times ran a long piece summarizing (and uncritically endorsing) the plaintiffs’ case (Kevin Sack and Alicia Mundy, “A Dose of Denial”, Mar. 28). However, juries thus far have found that case considerably less persuasive: last month a Philadelphia jury returned a defense verdict in a case against Glaxo SmithKline over its Contac 12 hour medication (representing the plaintiff: the senatorially well-connected Kline and Specter). In three trials so far, that leaves the score at 0-3 in favor of the defense. (Melissa Nann, “Defense Wins Pennsylvania’s First PPA Verdict”, The Legal Intelligencer, Apr. 6). Update Jan. 21, 2006: further setbacks to litigation.
Update: PPA litigation
In 2000, after a study raised concerns of a possible connection with hemorrhagic stroke, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of phenylopropanolamine (PPA), a stimulant long widely used in over-the-counter decongestants like Alka-Seltzer Plus and Contac, as well as in appetite suppressants. Lawyers rushed to file suits blaming drugmakers for strokes and other […]
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