Pfizer Sued for $1M by Test Subject

An Oregon woman who developed osteonecrosis in both hips during a drug study of Tanezumab has filed suit against Pfizer Inc. claiming the company cancelled the study due to the risk of osteonecrosis with the drug – but failed to inform her.

Plaintiff Candace Stewart alleges that she suffered osteonecrosis or bone death in her hips after agreeing to be a test subject for a Pfizer study of Tanezumab, according to Courthouse News. The drug was considered a potential painkiller for patients with osteoarthritis.

Stewart agreed to be a participant in the study in the fall of 2009 and withdrew in April 2010. She was diagnosed with osteonecrosis in her hips in August 2010, according to her complaint.

The complaint claims Stewart contacted her doctor after experiencing hip and elbow pain and was diagnosed with osteonecrosis. She then learned from her doctor that Pfizer ended the Tanezumab study in June 2010 due to the risk of ostenecrosis. Prior to that, she says was not informed that the study was stopped or that Pfizer determined that Tanezamab was too dangerous for human consumption because of the disease risk.

Stewart contacted Pfizer about her diagnosis and asked it to pay for hip replacement surgery, which the company refused to do, according to the complaint, which seeks nearly $1 million in non-economic damages.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.

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