The verdict came at the end of the first phase of a bifurcated (two phase) trial that began on July 19, 2004 before Judge Gary S. Glazer in the Courts of Common Pleas of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Both plaintiffs alleged heart valve injury from the use of the diet drug Pondimin. The jury ™s verdict with regard to Ms. Istnick has ended that case and the parties have resolved Mr. Clepper ™s claim.
The first phase sought to determine whether the plaintiffs were injured as the result of Pondimin, and if so the amount of the damages. The second phase would have determined liability.
Wyeth reaffirms its belief that there are a significant number of down-stream opt out cases that lack merit and the Company will continue to challenge them as appropriate.
Wyeth is one of the world ™s largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and nonprescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company ™s major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.
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Dr Hippisley-Cox comments: Our findings suggest that the management strategy of using diet only in type 2 diabetes is still very common and varies substantially between practices. This suggests inconsistency between clinicians in the decision to introduce hypoglycaemic medication. This result is consistent with other evidence showing variations between practices in clinical areas, and is especially important since more patients are cared for solely in general practice than are cared for solely in hospital. Patients with diabetes on diet only are receiving less intensive review of their condition, and fewer referrals to, for example, dieticians; they also have a high rate of complications. Although some individuals with type 2 diabetes might be effectively managed by diet only, there is a case for better routine surveillance; for more intensive therapy if glycaemic control, blood pressure, or cholesterol are not optimum, and if any diabetes-related complications occur; and for greater consistency of clinical practice concerning the decision to start medication. Almost 1% of the entire population have diabetes and are on diet only and therefore the study has substantial public health implications
thelancet/