ZofranLegal.com reports on allegations that manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline knowingly marketed its anti-nausea chemotherapy, radiation, and anesthesia medication to pregnant mothers, causing birth defects in their children. Allegations additionally state that this “off-label” marketing was a tactic designed for “profit maximization.”
Just a few years ago in 2012, GlaxoSmithKline agreed to settle criminal and civil fraud charges from the Department of Justice by paying a $3 billion fine for promoting several drugs including Zofran in “a manner that is false and misleading.”
Despite this occurrence, Zofran continued to market the drug to expectant mothers, and allegations state that when exposed to the drug in utero, it can cause children to be born with defects. The defects most commonly alleged are cleft lip, cleft palate, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, transposition of the greater vessels, and clubfoot.
One plaintiff noted in her October 29th, 2015 lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline that the company continued to market the drug to pregnant women despite a warning from the FDA in 1999 which asked them to “immediately cease distribution” of marketing materials that promote Zofran in false or misleading ways.
The drug is still sold annually to over 1 million pregnant women across the nation. Because it is an anti-nausea medication, the women are prescribed it for nausea episodes associated with morning sickness. Many are unaware that Zofran has never been approved or tested for safety concerning expectant mothers. Ironically, episodes of morning sickness during pregnancy occur most often during the first trimester, so mothers are given the medication during this time. This is also the time when the fetus’ heart and mouth do much of their developing.
Today, because the drug is continually given to pregnant women and in light of recent studies and allegations, it is anticipated that lawsuits against the drug and GlaxoSmithKline will continue to be filed. The attorneys at Monheit Law are currently working to help anyone who has used Zofran while pregnant and has subsequently given birth to a child with defects to explore their full legal rights concerning the matter. These individuals and the children affected may be entitled to compensation. Monheit Law provides free and confidential consultations for anyone involved.
To obtain additional information regarding this subject, or to ask questions, please contact Michael Monheit, Esq. by calling 877-620-8411.
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Contact ZofranLegal.com:
Michael Monheit
1-877-620-8411
michael@monheit.com
1368 Barrowdale Road, Rydal, PA 19046
