Pfizer Settles 80 Percent of Chantix Lawsuits

Washington, DC: Pfizer, the maker of the controversial smoking cessation drug Chantix (known generically as varenicline), has settled or agreed to settle some 80 percent of the Chantix lawsuits filed over allegations that the drug causes suicide, suicide attempts and other psychiatric disturbances.

The settlements equate to roughly four fifths of the 2,700 state and federal lawsuits filed, and Pfizer has taken a $273 million charge to cover the costs, and has set aside another $15 million for finalizing the remaining claims, FiercePharma reports.

These "batch"settlements follow the two individual "bellweather"Chantix personal injury lawsuits which were settled for undisclosed amounts. The first, settled in October 2012, was filed by the wife of Mark Whitely, a Chantix user who committed suicide. The second lawsuit was settled directly with the plaintiff, plaintiff Billy G. Bedsole, Jr., who alleged his use of Chantix triggered his experiencing suicidal thoughts and other psychiatric problems. Chantix carries a "black box" warning to alert patients and doctors to the risk of psychiatric side effects.

Most recently, the Food and Drug Administration has determined that Chantix could be associated with an increased risk for heart attack.

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Published on Mar-5-13