Court okays class action against Pfizer
claims drug decreased bone density 'Important treatment option,' firm insists
SUE MONTGOMERY, The Gazette
Court okays class action against Pfizer
Published: Saturday, May 31

A $50-million class-action suit has been approved by Quebec Superior Court against pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary, Pfizer Canada Inc.

The suit claims that Pfizer knew that its contraceptive Depo-Provera, which is injected every three months, could cause a decrease in bone density in women using it.

The drug, which is still available in Canada, is also used to treat endometriosis and breast and endometrial cancer in menopausal women.

The representative plaintiff, Noelia Brito, had her bone density tested seven years after she began using the drug. The test revealed that the 37-year-old had the bone density of a 70-year-old.

"It's sad," said Daniel Belleau, who is representing the plaintiffs.

In a June 30, 2005, public notice, Pfizer admitted that two clinical studies indicated that women using Depo-Provera might be subject to a considerable reduction in their bone mineral density.

Rhonda O'Gallagher, a spokesperson for Pfizer Canada Inc., said the company doesn't comment on ongoing litigation, but believes that the drug is "an important treatment option for Canadian doctors and patients."

Belleau said it's impossible to predict how many women will come forward, but guessed "many thousands, for sure."

He said that in the last five years, 3 million prescriptions for the drug have been filled.

Class-action suits against Pfizer for Depo-Provera have already been filed in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, Belleau said.

Women registered under those suits will automatically be registered in this most recent action.

The suit applies to Canadian women who have taken Depo-Provera and have suffered a decrease in bone density as a result. They can register at recourscollectif.info.

smontgomery@remove-this.thegazette.canwest.com


© The Gazette (Montreal) 2008