Last week three legal actions were brought to NY court against Pfizer Inc. According to the lawsuits the Pharma Giant’s latest anti-smoking therapy Chantix (varenicline tartrate, selling under trade name Chantix across the USA and Champix in all other countries) triggered suicidal behavior and even led to a fatal outcome.
The proceedings, submitted to the Supreme Court of the of New York State located in Manhattan, state that when the plaintiffs were using Chantix, its manufacturer, Pfizer avoided warning physicians and patients about the severe adverse effects the company allegedly was aware were linked with the medication, among which were suicidal and aggressive behavior.
Despite Chantix producer later provided warning labels to the product, the law firm which submitted the suits claimed the product’s warnings are still not sufficient.
Pfizer launched Chantix in the American market of smoking cessation therapies in 2006, believing it would have a huge success and would be able to boost company’s weakening revenues. Though the drug gained its minute of fame, becoming a best-seller shortly after its introduction, since then the sales have dropped dramatically. Chantix lost 15 percent last year and earned $155 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Marc Grossman, senior attorney, who will represent the plaintiffs in the proceedings, declared that Pfizer deliberately, carelessly, and/or recklessly hid, withheld, avoided, and/or misinterpreted the risks, adverse effects and defects of Chantix.
Two suits stated the plaintiffs attempted to commit a suicide after starting to take Chantix. The third suit concerns a wrongful death after taking the medicine. The suit is submitted on behalf of Annette Pine, late resident of Indianapolis, stating that the plaintiff killed herself after taking a course of Chantix. All proceedings would be investigated by jury and seeks compensatory damages, reimbursement of expenses on medical and legal counseling, and, in the third case, expenses on funeral and moral damages.
Several months ago Pfizer published a declaration defending the product, allowed for usage in almost 90 countries as an anti-smoking therapy. Pfizer’s spokesperson, Sally Beatty said that the company always warned potential customers about the careful use of the drug, which can only be prescribed by a doctor. She underlined that the company would do its best to protect their product, since it is a proved effective tool and helped thousands inveterate smokers to get rid of their pernicious habit.
In conformity with the suits, the plaintiffs were taking the drug carefully following the instruction and doctor’s advices. The suits also state that both plaintiffs and doctors, who will take part in the processes as witness, were not aware about severe adverse effects of the drug, which included suicidal thoughts, mental disorders and depressions, related or provoked by Chantix.