February 28, 2001-Firm Files Nationwide Class Action Suits Filed to Educate Doctors and Consumers About Dangers of PPA.

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Six national class action suits representing millions of consumers who purchased over-the-counter cold, flu and allergy medications containing the potentially deadly drug Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) were filed today. PPA has been associated with strokes, seizures, heart attacks and related problems, and even death. The suits, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, are the first national class actions involving PPA filed on behalf of consumers.

Today's suits seek, among other things, to require the manufacturers of cold, flu and allergy medications formerly containing PPA, to inform health care providers nationwide that some of their patients may have suffered brain, heart or other injury from the ingestion of PPA, and to educate consumers about the potential explanation for undiagnosed injuries they may have suffered from PPA. The lawsuits claim that the drug companies who marketed, manufactured and distributed these medications knew, for over 20 years, that PPA has serious life-threatening side effects, but continued to sell the products in order to reap huge sums in profits. At the urging of the FDA, the use of PPA ingredients in the manufacture of these medications was discontinued in November, 2000. The companies named in the suits include American Home Products Corp., Shering-Plough Corp., Bayer Corp., SmithKline Beecham Corp., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Novartis Corp. These companies are the major manufacturers of cold, flu and allergy products, including varieties of Dimetapp, Robitussin, Coricidin, Contac, Triaminic, Comtrex, Naldecon Pediatric and Alka-Seltzer, among others.

The lawsuits also seek refunds to consumers for the purchase price of cold, flu and allergy medications containing PPA. The annual sales for these medications are estimated to be in the billions of dollars. The suits further propose that a portion of the sums disgorged by these manufacturers be used for additional research on the adverse effects of PPA and dissemination of the results of that research to health care providers and consumers. Additionally, the suits seek allocation of a portion of the fund to enhancing ways of treating injuries caused by PPA.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of taking any drug or supplement, call The Gunn Law Group now at (813) 228-7070 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to review your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

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