Pfizer Lawsuit Information

Pfizer Overview

In 1849 cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhardt launched a chemicals business in Brooklyn. Citric acid gave the company a major boost in the 1880s. By 1910 they were racking up something on the order of $3 million a year and had become leading experts in the area of fermentation technology.

This area of expertise was used in the mass production of penicillin during WWII. Penicillin was needed to help treat Allied troops and was required in massive quantities. Pfizer made most of the penicillin that hit the shores with the troops on D-Day. No one filed a Pfizer lawsuit for penicillin.

By the 1950s, Pfizer was established in ten other countries and still expanding. In the 80s and 90s their success skyrocketed with the introduction of such drugs as Zoloft, Viagra, Aricept, Zithromax, Lipitor, Norvasc and Diflucan.

Pfizer Problems & Legal Issues

Pfizer seems to have hit a wall when it comes to introducing new drugs to the market. Things aren't like they used to be when they had a run of successful drugs that sold billions around the world.

Just recently they had to abandon work on a promising high cholesterol drug, torcetrapib. The drug was supposed to treat heart disease by raising good cholesterol but it appeared to have increased deaths in trial patients. The decision blew up another possible lead to blockbuster sales.

The failure of this drug was disappointing for Pfizer as it was hoping to replace Lipitor - a drug that earns Pfizer about 50% of its income (Lipitor's patent expires in 2011). Lipitor has been the subject of a Pfizer lawsuit.

When Pfizer has had a major drug to market in the past, they've sent out their approximately 38,000 drug reps. They have changed tactics somewhat. Pfizer's placed ads, taken out TV time and aggressively promoted various drugs. By advertising directly to patients, drug sales boomed. (Pfizer's annual advertising budget is around $3 billion.)

Pfizer supports sales and admin staff, scientists and labs for about $16.9 billion yearly - not a high price when sales figures are taken into account. Pfizer knows about bestselling drugs. Consider that the combined sales of Lipitor, Viagra and Zoloft has hit $52 billion.

The problem is Pfizer appears to have hit a dry patch in drug development and is looking to slash some of its expenses. Combined with HMOs reducing high cost drug spending, this will mean big changes are in store for Pfizer and other drug companies.

Pfizer Lawsuits

* Depo-Provera (2005)

A $700 million class action lawsuit against Pfizer alleges young women who took the birth control medication Depo-Provera have developed osteoporosis.

The class action lawsuit also alleged that long-term users have been diagnosed with other bone mass density problems, including long recovery from fractures, brittle teeth, and hip, spine and jawbone problems.

* Viagra (2005)

A class action has been filed alleging the drug caused blindness and that Pfizer knew but didn't tell people.

Some men have developed "stroke in the eye" - a condition where blood pressure drops and restricts the flow of blood to the optic nerve. This may lead to temporary or permanent blindness.

* Rezulin (2004)

This suit was over a diabetic drug which allegedly caused liver failure and deaths. It was removed from market 2000. In this Pfizer lawsuit the company agreed to pay $60 million to settle. The suit also alleged the company had falsely marketed this diabetes drug.

* Mirapex (2008)

Used to treat tremors in Parkinson's disease, Mirapex has been accused of making people obsessive compulsive.

A federal jury awarded $8.2 million to a plaintiff who claimed that Mirapex caused him to gamble compulsively. It was further alleged Pfizer knew about this side effect and did not adequately warn users.

Some other Pfizer lawsuits have been for:

* Pseudoephedrine (decongestant; 2005) - Pfizer accused of being complicit in sales of this drug knowing it could be used to make meth.

* Zithromax (antibiotic; 2007) - Alleged patent infringement.

* Bextra (pain killer for arthritis; 2004) - Pfizer accused of making false and misleading statements.

* Zoloft (for depression, panic, anxiety; 2004) - Allegedly Pfizer concealed evidence and participated in deceptive marketing.

* Lipitor (lowers cholesterol; 2005) - Accused of failing to adequately warn of side effects.

* Idamycin (cancer drug, 2006) - Alleged patent infringement.

---

If you've experienced negative side effects from taking a drug manufactured by Pfizer (or any other drug company), consider contacting an experienced dangerous drug attorney. They will advise you on the merits of filing a Pfizer lawsuit.




Still have questions about a Pfizer Lawsuit? Click Here.

Custom Search