Proton Pump Inhibitor Manufacturers Argue Against Federal Consolidation of Kidney Injury Claims, Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reports

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Nov 30, 2016, 10:57 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The manufacturers of several popular heartburn medications have urged a judicial panel to reject a motion seeking the centralization of all federally-filed kidney injury lawsuits involving proton pump inhibitors in a single jurisdiction. In responses filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) on November 22^nd, Pfizer Inc., which manufacturers Nexium 24 HR, and AstraZeneca, the maker of prescription Prilosec, argued that the variety of injuries alleged in the lawsuits, the large number of proton pump inhibitors currently on the market, and the potential for the litigation to involve more than 60 defendants makes the docket unfit for centralization. In a response filed with JPML on the same day, Takeda Pharmaceuticals asserted that too few of the pending cases involve the company's Dexilant medication to warrant its inclusion in the proposed multidistrict litigation. (In re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2757)

"Our Firm is representing plaintiffs in Nexium lawsuits and other proton pump inhibitor cases that involve allegations of chronic kidney disease and other renal injuries. We look forward to a decision from the JPML on the question of centralization," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The Firm continues to offer free legal reviews to individuals who were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, acute kidney injury, or acute interstitial nephritis following long-term use of prescription or over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors.

Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Kidneys

Proton pump inhibitors are indicated for the short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other stomach problems related to the excess production of gastric acid. In recent years, a number of studies have suggested that long-term use of these medications may increase a patient's risk for chronic kidney disease, renal failure and other dangerous kidney complications. In 2013, more than 15 million Americans used prescription proton pump inhibitors, at a cost of more than $10 billion. However, it has been estimated that between 25% and 70% of these prescriptions have no appropriate indication.

On October 17^th, plaintiffs who experienced kidney complications allegedly related to the use of proton pump inhibitors filed a Motion with the JPML seeking the transfer of all such federal claims to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, for the purposes of coordinated pretrial proceedings. At the time, at least 15 proton pump inhibitor lawsuits were pending in federal courts around the U.S., but plaintiffs asserted that the litigation could eventually grow to include hundreds of additional cases. They maintained that without centralization, "the possibility of inconsistent pretrial rulings exists, especially with respect to the proper scope and extent of discovery, causation, and other factual and legal issues."

Proton pump inhibitor patients who were diagnosed with serious kidney complications may be able to take legal action of their own. To learn more, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call 800-511-5092 to arrange for a free, no obligation case review.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

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Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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