GlaxoSmithKline Requests MDL After Numerous Zofran Birth Defects Lawsuits Filed

September 23, 2015 – – ZofranLegal.com reported that on July 6th, 2015, drug manufacturer and distributor GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) filed a motion requesting that the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidate and transfer the litigation before one federal judge.

Specifically, GSK requested that the transfer goes to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Two judges are noted to be preferred by GSK, Judge Cynthia M. Rufe or Judge Paul S. Diamond. If the request is granted, it would streamline the litigation process and allow for a quicker resolution for all parties. The panel will meet on October 1st to review the request.

Currently, there are nearly 50 lawsuits against GSK which allege that the anti-nausea medication Zofran caused birth defects in an unborn child. So far, the majority of plaintiffs which have filed responses to this request are in agreement that consolidation is a good choice, but, there is a general dissatisfaction with the location. Other options have been presented including the Northern District of Alabama, the Southern District of Illinois, and the Northern District of Ohio.

Zofran was first approved in 1991 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. However, it was only approved to be prescribed to patients who experienced these symptoms after chemotherapy and radiation or after being under anesthesia. It was never presented by GSK to the FDA for approval for the treatment of morning sickness during pregnancy.

GSK never performed human studies or clinical trials in pregnant women, but still chose to promote the use of the drug to both the medical community and the public as a safe treatment for morning sickness. OB/GYN’s around the country embraced the drug and prescribed it for millions of women. It wasn’t long before GSK allegedly began to receive reports of birth defects in children born to women who had ingested Zofran during their pregnancy.

At this time the complaints filed list several birth defects, including atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, heart murmurs, transposition of the greater vessels, clubfoot, cleft palate, cleft lip, and renal defects.

For more information regarding this press release contact Michael Monheit, Esquire of ZofranLegal.com at 877-620-8411.

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Contact ZofranLegal.com:

Michael Monheit
1-877-620-8411
michael@monheit.com
1368 Barrowdale Road, Rydal, PA 19046

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