Consumer Updates and the Latest Hot Spots

REZULIN
Rezulin Taken Off Market
On March 22, 2000, the FDA asked Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis, the manufacturer of Rezulin, to remove the product from the market. The head of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr. Janet Woodcock, announced that “continued use of Rezulin” now poses an unacceptable risk to patients.

The FDA has linked 63 deaths and numerous cases of liver failure to the use of Rezulin.

Rezulin Class Action Law Suit
On March 24, 2000 the Consumer Advocacy Center, P.C., Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, Sheller, Ludwig & Badey, P.C., Eichen, Cahn & Parra, L.L.P. and Williams, Cuker & Berezofsky filed the first nationwide class action law suit on behalf of Rezulin users, against Warner-Lambert. The suit charges that the company used false and deceptive means to defraud consumers into buying a dangerous and potentially fatal drug.

The complaint was filed on behalf of all individuals who took Rezulin from March 1, 1997 through March 22, 2000.

In addition to the nationwide class action, we are filing individual law suits on behalf of patients who have suffered severe liver damage, liver failure and/or death resulting from their use of Rezulin.

No Attorneys Fees

There are no out-of-pocket legal fees or up front costs. Your case will be handled on a contingent fee basis. This means your attorneys will only be paid a percentage of the settlement or jury verdict they win for you.

HISTORY OF REZULIN
The following information is based on allegations in our complaint.

May 1996 Rezulin was selected as one of two drugs to be used in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Richard Eastman, a highly paid consultant for Warner-Lambert, was influential in the NIH decision to use Rezulin.
July 1996 Warner-Lambert submits Rezulin new drug application to the FDA.
Oct 1996 The FDA medical reviewer assigned to Rezulin, Dr. John Gueriguian, recommends in writing that Rezulin not be approved because of liver toxicity. At Warner-Lambert’s urging, Dr. Gueriguian was removed from the Rezulin review.
Dec 1996 FDA advisory panel recommends approval of Rezulin.
Jan 1997 FDA approves Rezulin.
March 1997 Warner-Lambert begins marketing Rezulin with a huge media campaign.
Fall 1997 Rezulin related deaths from liver failure begin to be reported to the FDA.
Nov 1997 Warner-Lambert changes Rezulin safety label for the first time.
Dec 1997 Rezulin use was banned in Great Britain. Rezulin continues to be sold in the US, but the safety label is changed for the second time.
May 1998 Audrey Larue Jones, a healthy high school teacher enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program dies shortly after taking Rezulin. NIH removes Rezulin from the program.
July 1998 FDA required third label change on Rezulin.
Nov 1998 More deaths related to liver failure are reported among Rezulin users.
March 1999 The FDA convenes a second advisory panel on Rezulin.
July 1999 Rezulin label changed for the fourth time.
Fall 1999 Rezulin reported deaths continue to grow.
March 2000 Finally, after 63 related deaths and numerous cases of liver failure, Rezulin was withdrawn from the US market.
March 24, 2000 We filed the first nationwide class action law suit on behalf of Rezulin users against Warner-Lambert.

TOP TEN Basic Consumer Tips: How Not To Be Cheated
Your Best Protection is Prevention:
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1. Be extremely careful when providing credit card information. Keep in mind that written authorization is NOT required for someone else to charge your account. Therefore, only give credit card information to legitimate businesses. If you disagree with any charge on your credit card statement, notify the issuer of your card immediately so you can file a formal dispute. By notifying the issuer, you limit your liability for fraudulent use of your card by another person.


2. Never sign a contract under pressure. Don’t just sign it because someone put it in front of you. Take some time. Relax. Sit back. Read it. If you do not understand it (and there are LOTS of contracts that are hard to understand), do not feel “dumb” and sign it because “it must be alright.” Get someone you trust to explain it to you. Tell the salesperson you want a copy of the contract to take home and read overnight. If they refuse, that tells you something!


3. Do not respond to pressure. If a salesperson is pushing you, step back. Leave if you have to. Take a walk around the block. Take a friend with you and discuss it with him or her, away from the salesperson.


4. Take your time. Do not buy on impulse. Consider carefully any major purchase. Go to different places. Compare prices. Never rely only on what the salesperson is saying. Read Consumer Reports. Call the Better Business Bureau.


5. Make sure the contract says exactly what you think you have agreed to, and exactly what the salesperson has agreed to. Be very sure that all promises are written right on the contract. Do not be afraid to write them in on the contract yourself. Hand-written additions are fine as long as they are initialed by all parties to the contract. Moreover, Do not sign a contract which contains any blank spaces. Put a line through any blank space before you sign.


6. Do Not Rely On Oral Promises. Oral Promises Are Generally Not Worth A Thing, And Are Often Very Difficult To Enforce. If the Seller refuses to let you put his or her promises in writing, Assume They Will Not Live Up To Them. Go Elsewhere.


7. Be careful of door-to-door salespersons. There are special protections and laws that apply to such contracts, because they are often coercive.


8. Be wary of “rent-to-own” stores. If you seek to own an item, research other alternatives (check the classified ads for used items, buy goods on layaway or apply for a credit card). “Rent-to-Own” stores often charge annual interest rates from 100 to 275 percent without specifically telling the consumer and may not indicate clearly whether an item is new or used.


9. Check the refund and exchange policy of each store when you make a purchase. There are laws that regulate offers of returns or exchanges.


10. Be Careful Of Anything That Sounds Too Good To Be True. It Usually Is.