TORONTO, April 4, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- A class action has been commenced against Wyeth and two of its subsidiaries that manufactured a number of cold, cough and sinus products, which contained the drug phenylpropanolamine ("PPA"). PPA has been linked to hemorrhagic strokes and other serious medical side effects. Consumers across Canada who unknowingly purchased products containing PPA are seeking damages in the amount of $100 million.
PPA was widely used in nasal decongestants, in prescription and non-prescription cough, cold, sinus and other combination allergy medications. Health Canada issued an Advisory on November 6, 2000 concerning the drug's reported association with hemorrhagic stroke. The Advisory recommended that consumers not use any products containing PPA.
The claim alleges the following:
- consumers who purchased and ingested products with PPA were unaware that the drug was unsafe
- the losses they have incurred extend beyond the purchase price of PPAproducts
- many consumers have and will continue to face health problems associated with the ingestion of PPA, due to the inadequate warning and inadequate withdrawal program instituted as a result of Health Canada's November 6th, 2000 Advisory
The claim also alleges that Wyeth's conduct constitutes negligence, fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and unfair business practices.
Kirk Baert of the Toronto law firm Koskie Minsky said, "The case raises very serious issues regarding the conduct of Wyeth."
Koskie Minsky is experienced in handling complex class actions. Lexpert recognizes lawyers at the firm as being leading practitioners in the class action field and other related branches of law. The firm has achieved recoveries for class members in numerous cases, and also acts as consulting counsel for plaintiffs and defendants in class actions.
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca