Mass tort litigation involves numerous plaintiffs suing one or several corporate defendants in state or federal court. The pharmaceutical industry, unfortunately, bears its fair share of such cases. Here are some of the most significant pharmaceutical mass tort case studies.
The Vioxx Case
Merck, the pharmaceutical giant, faced one of the largest mass tort litigations in the U.S over its drug, Vioxx. Approved in 1999 for the treatment of arthritis, Vioxx was taken off the market in 2004 after it was linked to heart attacks and strokes. The company paid roughly $4.85 billion to settle 27,000 lawsuits.
The Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis has resulted in numerous mass tort lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, including Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and McKesson. The cases allege that these companies downplayed the risks and heavily marketed the opioid drugs, contributing to the nationwide opioid addiction crisis. Settlements for these cases could again be in the billions.
The Yaz/Yasmin Case
Bayer’s birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin, have been subject to thousands of lawsuits. The pills, released in the mid-2000s, were advertised as safe and effective. However, they were later linked to severe side effects like blood clots and strokes. Lawsuits alleging injury from these pills received settlements totaling more than $2 billion.
The Invokana Case
Invokana, a drug used to treat type-2 diabetes, has been linked with severe side effects, including leg and foot amputations. Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers of Invokana, have faced numerous lawsuits claiming that they failed to warn patients of these severe risks.
The Zantac Case
Ranitidine, popularly known under the brand name Zantac, has been linked to cancer. Subsequently, the FDA ordered a recall of Zantac and its generics from the market. Several lawsuits have since been filed.
Conclusion
While pharmaceuticals play a significant role in public health, there have been instances where drugs cause significant harm. These mass tort case studies remind us of the necessity for transparency, rigorous product testing, and constant monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry.
