Iowan's Bextra Lawsuit Contains Nine Charges Against Pfizer

By Dave Wilson

Published on August 17, 2005

The charges were filed as part of a personal injury case against the pharmaceutical giant, alleging that Pfizer marketed Bextra as a safe painkiller -- misrepresenting the risks involved with the drug's use. The lawsuit contends that the Pfizer knew about Bextra's flaws, but concealed harmful information from the healthcare community.

Mr. Peterson, a 76-year-old from Fort Madison, suffered acute cerebral hemorrhage on August 5th, 2003. The debilitating stroke left one half of his body paralyzed. Peterson had been taking Bextra for almost a year when it happened.

Peterson's lawyer is asking for compensation for medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and punitive damages. He indicated that punitive damages would serve to deter Pfizer from engaging in similar wrongful conduct in the future.

Pfizer has not commented on Peterson's case, but the pharmaceutical corporation has continued to maintain that the benefits of Bextra outweigh the risks. A date for trial has not yet been determined.

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