Pfizer, the parent company of hormone replacement drug manufacturer Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, was ordered to pay $28 million in punitive damages and $6.3 million in compensatory damages to breast cancer survivor, Donna Kendall.
Diagnosed in November 2002, Kendall claims she developed breast cancer after using three of the company’s products, Premarin, which is conjugated estrogen, Prempro, a conjugated estrogen and progestin combination, and Provera, a product containing medroxyprogesterone manufactured by Upjohn. According to the suit, Kendall had used the products over the course of 11 years. She has had to undergo reconstructive surgery of her breasts, shortly after she had undergone two mastectomies.
Premarin Breast Cancer Lawsuit
According to Kendall, companies were promoting these products as much more than just a menopause symptom reduction drug. “They said it was going to be good for Alzheimer’s, good for your teeth, good for your heart, colorectal cancer,” said Kendall. “I didn’t know what I was getting into.”
This is only the latest lawsuit, surrounding similar circumstances, that Wyeth has been found liable for. Once source claims that there may be as many as 12 similar cases, all in the appeal process, where Pfizer has been ordered to pay seven figures or more.
An October verdict handed out $75 million in punitive damages to Connie Barton, after she too was able to connect her breast cancer to Prempro use.
“We are disappointed with the verdicts in these cases,” said Pfizer spokesperson Chris Loder. “We believe that neither the awards of punitive damages nor the liability verdicts were supported by the evidence or the law.”
All three products are drugs used to treat the symptoms of menopause, and to date, all three products are still on store shelves. According to Bloomberg News, more than 6 million women have taken hormone-replacement medicines to help manage the symptoms of menopause, which include vaginal dryness, itching, and burning, hot flashes, night sweats, osteoporosis, and mood swings.
Related Information
Mayo Clinic – Menopause
Danger of Early Menopause
Consumer Reports on Menopause Drugs
Prempro & Premarin Dangers
Estrogen Overload Symptoms
I think that it’s great that several women have one their lawsuits against Pfizer, but they’ll never see a dime… unfortunately. A Pfizer spokersperson has already stated that they will appeal this case, like they’ve appealed all those before this, and these poor women will most likely be dead before Pfizer “mans up” and faces the consequences of their actions. They’ll literally get away with murder, again and again.
The sad truth to this story is that Pfizer continues to sell Premarin and similar products that have been ruled to correlated with cancer in many women.