Following an appellate reversal of a $10 million verdict awarded to plaintiff in 2008, lawyers for Hoffman-LaRoche Inc. defended the company in a retrial in New Jersey State court by presenting new clinical evidence that undermined claims that the drug Accutane causes inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Roche lawyers presented the results of 6 epidemiological studies from 2009-2013, all of which showed no association between Accutane use and IBD or an inconclusive result. Plaintiff Kamie Kendall Rees claimed she was inadequately warned of a possible connection between Accutane and her ulcerative colitis. Rees began using Accutane at age 12 and was diagnosed with IBD at 15. The disease worsened, leading to the removal of her colon when she was 21. Plaintiff's lawyer argued that Roche has been aware of adverse reports about gastrointestinal distress but has failed to provide adequate warnings of the risk.
[1] Alston, J. "Roche Defends Accutane Against New Evidence in NJ Retrial", Law360 (March 7, 2014).
[1] Alston, J. "Roche Defends Accutane Against New Evidence in NJ Retrial", Law360 (March 7, 2014).
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