Zofran Lawsuit Plaintiffs Point To Birth Defect Results Of Japanese Animal Studies On Drug

ZofranLegal.com reports on new foreign animal studies which support the claims of plaintiffs in Zofran lawsuits by linking the drug to an increased risk in the developent of birth defects. Only months after more than 200 Zofran lawsuits were consolidated to a Boston federal court, defendant GlaxoSmithKline requested that all cases be dismissed. This contentious motion was filed on December 11, 2015.

The motion was ultimately dismissed by overseeing judge Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, but it can be requested again in the future. In their initial response to GSK’s request for dismissal, plaintiffs stated that there was “reason to believe that GSK had important evidence about the defects alleged [...], and the link to Zofran”. To better illustrate this point, plaintiffs used the results from multiple “animal teratogenicity studies” which GSK had conducted in Japan. These studies appear to have linked the drug to a development of congenital heart defects, a common allegation of plaintiff's.

Plaintiffs allege that these studies showed pregnant animals who had been exposed to Zofran and who went on to give birth to offspring with ventricular septal defects. Additionally, plaintiffs allege that these studies took place after the drug had gotten FDA approval for U.S. sales. The drug, however, was never approved to treat pregnant women or tested for safety on this consumer group. Instead, it was specifically approved to treat patients dealing with nausea and vomiting after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or anesthesia.

These results seem to concerningly mirror many of the details provided by current plaintiffs. In one particular Zofran lawsuit, for example, the mother alleges that because she used the drug to combat morning sickness during her first trimester of pregnancy, her unborn child developed Tetralogy of Fallot (a rare grouping of 4 heart defects) while in the womb. The mother states, “GSK conducted additional animal studies after the launch of Zofran in the U.S. that demonstrated increased risks of harm to fetuses in animals exposed to ondansetron [Zofran’s active ingredient] prenatally.”

If these allegations are proven to be true, the pharmaceutical giant could face increasing public scrutiny. Plaintiffs anxiously await the results as the consolidated cases move closer toward litigation. As everyone involved await trial, the attorneys at Monheit Law are working to help ensure that anyone who has used Zofran while pregnant and who has later given birth to an infant with defects will have the opportunity to explore their legal rights fully. These women, children, and families may be entitled to significant compensation. In order to help encourage the pursuit of justice in these difficult situations, the attorneys of Monheit Law are offering free legal consultations for effected individuals at this time.

To request additional Zofran birth defect information, or to ask questions, contact Michael Monheit, Esq. by calling 877-620-8411.