Death Of Birth Defect Researcher Saddens Zofran Lawsuit Plaintiffs

Zofran lawsuit plaintiffs have learned that a top birth defect researcher recently passed away unexpectedly. Continue reading →

Mar 11, 2016 /prREACH/ -- Recently, the more than 220 plaintiffs who have filed a Zofran birth defect lawsuit learned that Dr. Edward Lammer, a birth defect researcher known for his work regarding the drug Accutane, passed away unexpectedly in February of 2016.

Dr. Lammer is best known for being one of the scientists who liked the acne treatment Accutane with birth defects in unborn children. He began his study while working for the Centers for Disease Control in 1984, and continued to advocate for the families affected by the drug for the remainder of his career. The plaintiffs involved in the growing Zofran litigation were hoping that he would help to do further research on the drug they believe has wrecked havoc on their lives.

In each case filed against corporate giant GlaxoSmithKline, parents allege that the anti-nausea drug Zofran caused a birth defect in an unborn child after the mother was prescribed the drug to ease their morning sickness. They further allege that GlaxoSmithKline unlawfully promoted the drug to doctors and mothers advertising it as “safe” and “effective”, despite the fact that human clinical trials involving pregnant women had not been performed. The FDA did approve the drug, but only for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and anesthesia.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed its own lawsuit against GSK, also alleging that the company had unlawfully promoted Zofran, as well as several other drugs, “off-label”. Although the company ultimately did not admit to any wrongdoing, they did agree to a settlement in which they paid some very heavy fines.

Due to the large number of lawsuits filed against GSK and the similarity of the allegations in each one, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation formed MDL 2657 in October of 2015. Federally-filed complaints have been transferred to the District of Massachusetts and will be overseen by the honorable Judge F. Dennis Saylor.