NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harwood Feffer LLP (www.hfesq.com) today announced that it continues to file actions on behalf of individuals who have experienced a total or partial loss of smell (known as anosmia or hyposmia) after using Zicam products. Zicam is an over-the-counter cold and flu remedy manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives ("Matrixx").
The actions filed by Harwood Feffer, together with others filed in federal courts around the country, have been consolidated as part of a nationwide multi-district litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona before the Honorable Frederick J. Martone. The complaints allege that Matrixx and other entities involved in the development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of Zicam products were negligent and violated various consumer protection laws to the detriment of users of the products. The plaintiffs in these actions all suffered total or partial and permanent loss of smell and/or taste as a result of using the Zicam products. Some users have reported having had a burning sensation in their nasal cavities immediately after using the product that was then followed by a loss of taste and smell.
Although there are a number of Zicam products produced by Matrixx, the loss of smell has generally been attributed to use of the Zicam nasal solutions that are applied directly to the nasal passages. These include:
Zicam Allergy Relief Nasal Gel Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief Zicam Kids Size Cold Remedy Swab Zicam Nasal Moisturizer Zicam Sinus Relief
Because zinc products fall under the FDA's homeopathic division, they do not require pre-market approval, they are not regulated and are exempt from government standards regarding safety and testing. However, medical reports going back as far as 1938 have noted that high doses of zinc can harm nasal tissues and affect the sense of smell. In fact, in the late 1930s, zinc was used in Canada on 5,000 children during a polio outbreak. Doctors believed that the zinc would kill the polio virus as it entered the nasal cavity. The treatment was ineffective, however, and nearly a quarter of those subjected to the treatment experienced varying degrees of taste and smell loss.
A recent University of Washington study has confirmed what many physicians and experts have suspected for years; linking use of Zicam products with anosmia. On June 16, 2009, the FDA issued a warning advising consumers to discontinue use and dispose of the Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Gel Swabs, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size. The warning was in response to more than 130 reports received by the FDA involving the loss of sense of smell associated with the use of these Zicam products, including permanent damage. The agency also sent a letter to manufacturer Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. that acknowledged more than 800 reports submitted to the company regarding the loss of sense of smell with Zicam Cold Remedy products and requested a response and corrective actions within 15 days.
Despite multiple reports and medical opinions regarding the nasal spray as being linked to anosmia, Matrixx has failed to warn the public of the risks and continues to deny that its Zicam products cause the condition. If you used one of the Zicam products described herein and suffer from a total or partial loss of smell and/or taste, you may contact Jeffrey M. Norton toll free at (877) 935-7400, or via-email at jnorton@hfesq.com to learn about our investigation.
For over two decades, Harwood Feffer has been a nationally recognized firm that specializes in complex, multi-party litigation with an emphasis on securities, ERISA, consumer fraud, product liability and civil rights litigation. Harwood Feffer is involved in numerous class actions on behalf of investors, employees, and consumers and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for its clients.