Lawsuits against the drug manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) continue to be filed regarding their anti-nausea drug, Zofran. Lawsuits allege the drug manufacturer placed profits over the safety of its patients by failing to warn doctors and patients of the potential for catastrophic birth defects if the drug was used during pregnancy. In a move to make it easier for families to file defective drug lawsuits, 224 Zofran lawsuits have been combined into an MDL (multidistrict litigation) case in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. In order to streamline the process for other families to file Zofran lawsuits, the court has ordered that families can file Zofran lawsuits directly in Massachusetts rather than filing the defective drug lawsuit in their home state first.
Why are Zofran Lawsuits Being Filed by Parents?
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) the maker of Zofran (ondansetron) gained FDA approval for the drug as an anti-nausea drug to be used for some surgical patients and for use by chemotherapy patients. However, GSK never received FDA approval for Zofran to be used by pregnant women as a treatment for NVP (nausea and vomiting of pregnancy). GSK saw an opportunity to increase the sale of Zofran by marketing it is an NVP drug because, at the time, there was not an NVP drug on the market.
Zofran lawsuits allege that the drug company never received FDA approval for Zofran as an NVP drug nor did it properly and adequately warn patients and doctors of the risks of using Zofran during pregnancy. The risk of birth defects in babies born to women who used Zofran during pregnancy is high. Woman who have taken Zofran during pregnancy have delivered children with birth defects including:
- Skeletal abnormalities
- Heart defects
- Kidney malformation
- Cleft palate and/or cleft lip
- Hypospadias
In some cases, the use of Zofran during pregnancy may result in the death of the baby.
The lawsuits allege that the drug company was negligent in its failure to warn patients and doctors of the risk of birth defects and it was negligent in marketing a drug for a use that had not been approved by the FDA. Plaintiffs are seeking millions of dollars in damages on behalf of themselves and their children.
Did Your Child Suffer Birth Defects After You Took Zofran During Your Pregnancy?
If so, you and your child may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages by filing a Zofran lawsuit. A defective drug lawsuit can never undo the terrible and tragic wrong that has been done against you and your baby by a greedy drug manufacturer; however, you can hold that company responsible for its negligent, reckless, and careless actions.
Contact the Zofran lawsuit attorneys of The Olinde Firm for a free case evaluation. Our defective drug lawyers want to help you and your child receive the justice you deserve for the horrible wrong that has been done. We accept defective drug cases on a contingency fee basis meaning you do not pay our fee until and unless we win a settlement on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule your free Zofran legal consultation.