The MDL Ruling from Judge Breyer came down mid-day today November 19, 2007. Based on Daubert, the science does not support claims of injury when a person took 200mg of Celebrex per day.
Stay tuned.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Vioxx and New Orleans: A Busy Week in December
December 10, 11 and 14 you won't be able to swing a dead cat in New Orleans without hitting a Plaintiff's lawyer.
On December 10 and 11, Mealey's will host a Plaintiff's Only National Settlement Conference chaired by my friend Tom Girardi, and which will cover among other things, the "View From the Bench" and the "Role of the Special Master."
On December 14, 2007 Judge Fallon will hear from counsel at its status conference.
On December 10 and 11, Mealey's will host a Plaintiff's Only National Settlement Conference chaired by my friend Tom Girardi, and which will cover among other things, the "View From the Bench" and the "Role of the Special Master."
On December 14, 2007 Judge Fallon will hear from counsel at its status conference.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Trasylol Pulled from Market b/c of Claimed Link to Kidney Problems
From AP, Reuters, Yahoo and others:
Bayer AG last week voluntarily stopped worldwide sales of its antibleeding drug Trasylol after a Canadian clinical study found it could be linked to a higher risk of death than other drugs.
Trasylol, also known as aprotinin, works by blocking enzymes that dissolve blood clots. It is designed to stem blood loss and enable patients receiving heart bypass surgery to avoid transfusions. The FDA approved Trasylol in the 90's. At least two studies found an alleged link between its use and kidney problems, heart attacks and strokes. There have been reports of renal failure tied to the drug's use. Stay tuned.
Bayer AG last week voluntarily stopped worldwide sales of its antibleeding drug Trasylol after a Canadian clinical study found it could be linked to a higher risk of death than other drugs.
Trasylol, also known as aprotinin, works by blocking enzymes that dissolve blood clots. It is designed to stem blood loss and enable patients receiving heart bypass surgery to avoid transfusions. The FDA approved Trasylol in the 90's. At least two studies found an alleged link between its use and kidney problems, heart attacks and strokes. There have been reports of renal failure tied to the drug's use. Stay tuned.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Friday Diversion: When Your Dogs Go Deaf
Two of my beloved labs (seen on the right) are getting up there in age. The oldest is nearly 14, and the black lab is nearly 11. The two of them are totally deaf, but happy. On cold mornings like the one today in Atlanta (cold for me at least, 33F) they refused to be awakened for a walk.
These four legged family members have heard me mutter about the law on walks, have listened to me practice my legal arguments, and have on my occasion wagged their tails furiously (surely in agreement) when I vented about the failures of the legal system.
It's new territory when what was once taught to help in field work - hand signals - now becomes the only way to communicate. Today I worked with them in total silence and realized how changes come whether you are ready or not. I vowed to spend more time with each, seeing how each still loves the attention.
I hope that when I'm that old someone will have remembered to go over hand signals with me.
These four legged family members have heard me mutter about the law on walks, have listened to me practice my legal arguments, and have on my occasion wagged their tails furiously (surely in agreement) when I vented about the failures of the legal system.
It's new territory when what was once taught to help in field work - hand signals - now becomes the only way to communicate. Today I worked with them in total silence and realized how changes come whether you are ready or not. I vowed to spend more time with each, seeing how each still loves the attention.
I hope that when I'm that old someone will have remembered to go over hand signals with me.
Merck Announces Vioxx Settlement: $4.85 Billion
From everywhere:
Merck hasagreed to pay nearly $4.85 billion to settle a significant portion of the claims over injuries claimed to linked to Vioxx.
The drug maker said if certain conditions under the agreement are met, Merck will pay a fixed amount of $4.85 billion into a settlement fund for qualifying claims that enter into the resolution process.
The average plaintiff will receive just over $100,000 before legal fees and expenses according to one report. The settlement amount represents less than one year's profit for the company.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
GTLA Blog: Washington State Voters Approve Pro-Consumer Insurance Bill
From gtlablog.com:
All eyes were on the state of Washington yesterday. Consumer advocates around the nation waited anxiously as voters turned out to voice their opinions by casting ballots on Referendum 67. It seems that Washington, like many other places, has had problems with insurance companies denying or delaying fair and just claims. The referendum allowed the people to decide what should happen.
Referendum 67 basically stated that if an insurer, acting in bad faith, unreasonably denies a legitimate claim, that insurer could be liable for up to triple the amount of damages.
Roughly 60% of voters approved Referendum 67. It would seem that unscrupulous business practices by insurance companies do indeed have consequences.
All eyes were on the state of Washington yesterday. Consumer advocates around the nation waited anxiously as voters turned out to voice their opinions by casting ballots on Referendum 67. It seems that Washington, like many other places, has had problems with insurance companies denying or delaying fair and just claims. The referendum allowed the people to decide what should happen.
Referendum 67 basically stated that if an insurer, acting in bad faith, unreasonably denies a legitimate claim, that insurer could be liable for up to triple the amount of damages.
Roughly 60% of voters approved Referendum 67. It would seem that unscrupulous business practices by insurance companies do indeed have consequences.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Report : Crestor Fails to Reduce Heart Failure Deaths
Crestor failed to cut down deaths in older people with heart failure in a recent study, a finding that suggests it won't be prescribed more widely in those patients.
The study was released at the yearly American Heart Association's meeting in Orlando, Florida. Source here.
According to the study, 11.4 percent of those on Crestor died or had a heart attack or stroke when compared with 12.3 percent given a placebo. All patients got aggressive drug therapy for the underlying heart failure.
The trial study had 5,011 patients tracked for an average of 2 1/2 half years. While Crestor didn't cut death rates in the study, the drug helped patients avoid hospitalizations and marginally lowered heart attack and stroke rates.
For more, go here.
The study was released at the yearly American Heart Association's meeting in Orlando, Florida. Source here.
According to the study, 11.4 percent of those on Crestor died or had a heart attack or stroke when compared with 12.3 percent given a placebo. All patients got aggressive drug therapy for the underlying heart failure.
The trial study had 5,011 patients tracked for an average of 2 1/2 half years. While Crestor didn't cut death rates in the study, the drug helped patients avoid hospitalizations and marginally lowered heart attack and stroke rates.
For more, go here.
Monday, November 05, 2007
How Tech Affects Concerts
I had a chance to go back to my Homecoming at the University of Florida. Lynyrd Skynyrd played. When Freebird began, this was the view. Lighters have been replaced by cellphones and their lit screens. May not be perfect on this youtube.com video, but it was really something to see:
News from Legal Broadcast Network
My friends at LBN have news to report, and so I thought I would pass it along:
The Legal Broadcast Network (LBN) is an internet media company designed to leverage the powerful broadcasting medium of the internet to reach a very specific, high value audience of trial lawyers and other legal professionals announces key news. LBN's studios are located in Phoenix, Arizona and it provides 24/7 access for lawyers, paralegals, law schools, trial lawyer associations and others to draw on the expertise, knowledge and resources of professionals that have been successful in fighting for plaintiffs rights. LBN, co-founded by Jan R. Schlichtmann and Mark Wahlstrom, is the first online and podcast radio program specifically designed for trial lawyers, their clients and experts who help the community.
"The Miller Group and affiliated companies ("Miller") is the most ideal organization to assist the Company in developing and implementing its ultimate plan to broaden the scope of our successful LBN network," said Jan R. Schlichtmann. "Miller's successful Wall Street track record in working with emerging growth and middle-market companies, and their experience working with entrepreneurial management teams was a key factor in joining together."
Mark Wahlstrom stated, "We felt Miller's financial expertise along with their depth of media experience was a critical component in assisting LBN in taking the next step to building the Legal Broadcast Network into a premier internet and media company.
Rudy R. Miller, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Miller commented, "We are especially pleased to assist the founders and shareholders of LBN in executing a financial, business and media strategy. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding partnership."
About The Miller Group
Miller, headquartered in Phoenix, in comprised of several affiliate companies including Miller Capital Corporation (MCC), which offers a broad spectrum of financial advisory and related services to both public and private middle-market companies located throughout the United States. MCC provides services in venture capital and private equity investing, management consulting and business valuations. Miller Capital Markets (MCM), a FINRA member firm, is a boutique investment bank that handles merger and acquisition transactions, private placement of equity and debt and public market advisory services. Miller Investments, Inc. and Miller Management Corporation are also a part of The Miller Group of affiliated companies.
A select group of past and present Miller clients include: America West Airlines, Inc., USAir Express, Capital Title Group, Inc., Global Entertainment Corporation, McMurry, Inc., REGENT Communications, Ritz Carlton magazine, Four Rivers Broadcasting, JACOR Communications and Wall Street Awareness Series, a nationally syndicated television program.
About LBN Founders
Jan R. Schlichtmann is a nationally recognized plaintiff attorney for his work that centers on consumer, environmental, product, toxic and mass tort litigation. He garnered international recognition for his representation in the 1980s of eight Woburn, Massachusetts families against W.R. Grace and Beatrice Foods for the contamination of the Woburn City Water supply. Today, Mr. Schlichtmann hosts his weekly show "Civil Action Radio" from Beverly, Massachusetts, which can be heard via podcast or from the continuous audio stream broadcast from the LBN Phoenix studios.
Mark Wahlstrom's firm, Wahlstrom & Associates, has 25 years experience in providing strategic advice in the development and design of structured annuities and settlement trusts. Mr. Wahlstrom is regarded in many legal circles as a leading expert in his field.
The Legal Broadcast Network (LBN) is an internet media company designed to leverage the powerful broadcasting medium of the internet to reach a very specific, high value audience of trial lawyers and other legal professionals announces key news. LBN's studios are located in Phoenix, Arizona and it provides 24/7 access for lawyers, paralegals, law schools, trial lawyer associations and others to draw on the expertise, knowledge and resources of professionals that have been successful in fighting for plaintiffs rights. LBN, co-founded by Jan R. Schlichtmann and Mark Wahlstrom, is the first online and podcast radio program specifically designed for trial lawyers, their clients and experts who help the community.
"The Miller Group and affiliated companies ("Miller") is the most ideal organization to assist the Company in developing and implementing its ultimate plan to broaden the scope of our successful LBN network," said Jan R. Schlichtmann. "Miller's successful Wall Street track record in working with emerging growth and middle-market companies, and their experience working with entrepreneurial management teams was a key factor in joining together."
Mark Wahlstrom stated, "We felt Miller's financial expertise along with their depth of media experience was a critical component in assisting LBN in taking the next step to building the Legal Broadcast Network into a premier internet and media company.
Rudy R. Miller, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Miller commented, "We are especially pleased to assist the founders and shareholders of LBN in executing a financial, business and media strategy. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding partnership."
About The Miller Group
Miller, headquartered in Phoenix, in comprised of several affiliate companies including Miller Capital Corporation (MCC), which offers a broad spectrum of financial advisory and related services to both public and private middle-market companies located throughout the United States. MCC provides services in venture capital and private equity investing, management consulting and business valuations. Miller Capital Markets (MCM), a FINRA member firm, is a boutique investment bank that handles merger and acquisition transactions, private placement of equity and debt and public market advisory services. Miller Investments, Inc. and Miller Management Corporation are also a part of The Miller Group of affiliated companies.
A select group of past and present Miller clients include: America West Airlines, Inc., USAir Express, Capital Title Group, Inc., Global Entertainment Corporation, McMurry, Inc., REGENT Communications, Ritz Carlton magazine, Four Rivers Broadcasting, JACOR Communications and Wall Street Awareness Series, a nationally syndicated television program.
About LBN Founders
Jan R. Schlichtmann is a nationally recognized plaintiff attorney for his work that centers on consumer, environmental, product, toxic and mass tort litigation. He garnered international recognition for his representation in the 1980s of eight Woburn, Massachusetts families against W.R. Grace and Beatrice Foods for the contamination of the Woburn City Water supply. Today, Mr. Schlichtmann hosts his weekly show "Civil Action Radio" from Beverly, Massachusetts, which can be heard via podcast or from the continuous audio stream broadcast from the LBN Phoenix studios.
Mark Wahlstrom's firm, Wahlstrom & Associates, has 25 years experience in providing strategic advice in the development and design of structured annuities and settlement trusts. Mr. Wahlstrom is regarded in many legal circles as a leading expert in his field.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Prempro: Case Dismissed in MN
Wyeth won dismissal of a lawsuit in Minnesota linking its Premarin and Prempro drugs to breast cancer.
Judge George F. McGunnigle a State Court Judge in Minneapolis granted Wyeth’s motion to dismiss the action, ruling that a woman who blamed the drugs for her breast cancer had failed to offer any scientifically valid evidence supporting her claim.
Source: Here.
Imported Drugs Causing Problems for the FDA
From USA Today:
The FDA can't adequately inspect foreign drug manufacturers because its database is so outmoded it doesn't even know how many foreign firms are shipping drugs to the United States, according to testimony to Congress.
The FDA can't adequately inspect foreign drug manufacturers because its database is so outmoded it doesn't even know how many foreign firms are shipping drugs to the United States, according to testimony to Congress.
Marcia Crosse, director of health care at the Government Accountability Office, told a House hearing that without such basic data the FDA "cannot provide the assurance that the imported drugs are safe."
The FDA this year listed 3,249 foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers subject to its inspection — yet the agency cannot determine whether it has ever inspected 2,133 of them
A report by Congress a decade ago showed similar shortcomings, and that nothing had been done.In my view, the FDA cannot possibly hope to keep up - it is a lost cause, and a new solution needs to be found.
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