The issue with fen-phen (a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine) was an increased risk of primary pulmonary hypertension, an incurable condition that can take more than a decade to develop. Lawsuits were filed with patients claiming they developed primary pulmonary hypertension as a result of their use of fen-phen.But some patients may have initially filed a lawsuit linked to injuries less serious than primary pulmonary hypertension, only to have their less serious injuries develop into life-threatening conditions.
As recently as 2012, a judge hearing lawsuits regarding fen-phen refused to dismiss those lawsuits from the courts, ruling that there was enough scientific evidence to show that primary pulmonary hypertension could develop more than a decade after the patient took fen-phen. Pfizer Inc - parent company to Wyeth - had argued that there was no evidence that taking fen-phen could cause primary pulmonary hypertension a decade later, and moved to dismiss two lawsuits.
But Judge Bartle ruled that expert testimony for the plaintiffs was based on reasonable medical evidence. As a result, the judge refused to dismiss the lawsuits and further refused to exclude the expert testimony, though he did note that it is up to a jury to determine if taking fen-phen resulted in the development of primary pulmonary hypertension.
READ MORE PPH AND FEN-PHEN LEGAL NEWS
In most situations, the statute of limitations begins running at the point when a patient knows or should have known that the drug did or could cause injury. Patients who were not immediately harmed by fen-phen can still argue they did not know they were injured by the drug until recently and therefore may be able to file a lawsuit.
The lawsuit is In re Diet Drugs Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1203, US District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
READER COMMENTS
Mary Rykowski
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Deborah
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Pearl hooten
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Penny Butcher
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Ronda
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Tanail
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Dawn St.Marie was Bertram at the time
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Annie Thomas
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I managed to get a university degree but mostly from bed. I have never been able to do paid work due to the physical and mental fatigue.
If the drug company can be accountable for the heart valve issues then it should also be accountable for damage to other organs and systems.
There is evidence as far back as 1975 that Fenfluramine was neurotoxic to serotonin terminals and that the damage was permanent. I would like to hear from anyone with similar experiences.
Drinda Jensen
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Kevin Ritchey
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Ric
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barbara
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MichelleT
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I only took Fen-Phen for a little over a year, but the panic attacks have persisted to this day - to the point that there are certain situations where I cannot drive (I break down and have to pull to the side of the road) and I also developed phobia's in crowds, restaurants, and public places.
I've had my doctor check my heart for damage because of the panic attacks - I worry that the galloping heart rate and the palpitations will begin to show wear on my organs.
I absolutely hate the panic attacks and I've done breathing & relaxation exercises for years to try to work through them - although for some situations they aren't effective. I don't like the side effects of the medications to control them & routinely turn them down when offered by my physician.
illyse wilson
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Theresa Ford
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Theresa doran
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Paula Sbabo
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sandra
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Audrey Martin
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