A federal judge has refused
Pfizer’s request to holdup the start of the first product-liability trial
surrounding its smoking-cessation drug, Chantix. Pfizer said that the delay was
essential as some new clinical data had come into scene.
Based in New York, Pfizer
is being confronted with over 2.600 lawsuits in federal court that involve
accusations related to smoking cessation drug, Chantix. Apparently, the drug
has caused users to commit suicide or go through other problems related to
mental health. The drug maker has not been able to warn its users of the risks.
Safety issues associated to the drug have affected the sales growth adversely.
The first trial is supposed
to start on Monday in federal court in Alabama. It starts from a lawsuit
brought by a Duluth, Minn. woman accusing the use of the drug by her husband to
have been the possible reason behind his death. Judy Whitely has alleged that
Pfizer has failed to warn about the risks that are involved in using Chantix.
She is presently seeking damages.
Pfizer has refused all the
accusations and has argued in its court papers that there is no proof of
Chantix having caused suicidal-related occurrences. It also said that it has
adequately warned its users regarding the potential risks surrounding the use
of Chantix.
On Tuesday, lawyers for
Pfizer filed a motion seeking to pu the start date of the trial on hold since
the company has released results on Tuesday about a clinical trial that
involves Chantix. The study has found Chantix more successful than a placebo in
helping people with past/ present depression and there was no difference
between the drug and a placebo in terms on psychiatric health.
As per the motion filed by
Pfizer on Tuesday, the company has asked a federal judge to put the trial on
hold and let all parties to complete discovery and other pre-trial motion
practice.
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