Pfizer Inc. has agreed to pay $894 million to settle personal injury and consumer fraud claims involving pain medications Bextra and Celebrex.
The announcement, made on Oct. 17 by New York-based Pfizer, will settle about 90 percent of the lawsuits filed against the drug maker over the COX-2 inhibitor. The Cox-2 family of drugs is suspected of increasing heart attacks.
In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration asked Pfizer to remove Bextra from the market. It has been associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, a pair of rare and potentially deadly skin diseases.
Celebrex is still on the market despite claims that it patients risk blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems if they use the drug.
From the settlement, about $745 million will be used to resolve the personal injury lawsuits. Approximately $60 million will be used to settle claims brought by 33 states and the District of Columbia alleging that Bextra was inappropriately marketed. Another $89 million will be used to settled consumer fraud cases.
My law firm currently represents Bextra and Celebrex victims and their families in lawsuits. The lawyers of Carey, Danis & Lowe are experienced in helping people injured by defective and dangerous drugs. We will seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wages, pain and suffering, disability and other damages. We also represent family members in wrongful death cases.
