The Birmingham News has reported that the lawsuits involving Pfizer’s anti-smoking drug, Chantix, will be consolidated before U.S. District Judge Inge Johnson in Birmingham.  The drug has been linked to psychological problems in users, including causing thoughts of suicide and in some cases the committing of suicide. 

Ernest Cory, of the law firm of Cory, Watson, Crowder & DeGaris, P.C., is leading the litigation for the plaintiffs.  Over 1,200 cases have been filed against Pfizer, and Mr. Cory suggests that at least another 1,000 are likely to be filed.  Of those cases, Mr. Cory reports that 60% involve some degree of self-harm by the patient using the drug.  Pfizer, which is represented in the litigation by Tripp Haston of the Birmingham office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP, has denied that the drug is the cause of the psychological conditions at issue in the case.  In 2008, the FDA required Pfizer to add a “black box” warning to Chantix, alerting patients of possible serious side effects from taking the drug.   

The Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) process allows for the consolidation of cases from across the United States for pre-trial purposes.  Often the Court that runs the MDL will try a handful of representative cases.  Mr. Cory suggests trials could start some time in 2012.  Mr. Haston suggests that it is premature to point towards any trial dates as the litigation is at its very earliest stages.  Depositions of Pfizer personnel are due to begin early this year. 

If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective drug and are seeking more information, please go to our “about us” page and contact The Law Offices of Brian Turner, LLC.