Federal Court Declares May 16 as ‘Science Day’ for PPI Litigation

Federal Court Declares May 16 as ‘Science Day’ for PPI Litigation

Introduction

In the purview of several Nexium-related kidney failure lawsuits and other Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) side-effects, the Federal Court has declared May 16 as a ‘Science Day,’ to be convened in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. Both parties will apprise the court on related medical and scientific information that may impact the legal proceedings.
The courtroom will be closed to the general public on this day. The federal court has granted 2.5 hours for each presentation and a maximum of up to two experts may be allowed to make the presentations.

Nexium and other PPIs (Prevacid, Prilosec, Dexilant, and Protonix) are alleged to cause major bone injuries and chronic kidney diseases in the U.S. About 2,300 product liability cases have been filed against PPI manufacturers AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Procter & Gamble Co., McKesson Corp., Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., and Pfizer Inc.

In August 2017, the PPI lawsuits were centralized in the District of New Jersey before Judge Claire C. Cecchi for coordinated pretrial proceedings, as a part of MDL No. 2789 (In Re:  Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation [No. II]), over similar allegations that the long-term use of PPI medication resulted in chronic kidney disease, renal failure, or other kidney problems.