The British drug manufacturer GSK has agreed to settle a California lawsuit alleging the discontinued heartburn medicine Zantac causes cancer. A Zantac lawsuit was previously set to begin on November 13.
The mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel will explain what this update means for the status of Zantact lawsuits. If you have questions, you can contact our law firm for a free consultation.
What Are the Zantac Lawsuits About?
Zantac is a medication used for treating acid reflux (with the generic name ranitidine) produced and distributed by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). It was put on the market in Europe in 1981 and obtained FDA approval for sale on the US market in 1983.
The drug was available both over the counter and on prescription. Over the years, a number of people who relied on Zantac to treat heartburn and ulcer symptoms developed various types of cancer.
In 2019, FDA published the first warning related to the cancer risks associated with Zantac use. Further tests showed that the drug contains a carcinogenic compound in a concentration 26,000 higher than the FDA-permitted level.
Zantac has been discontinued, but patients who relied on it are still living with life-threatening conditions caused by it.
As more people became aware of the link between taking Zantac and the cancer they developed, they started filing lawsuits against the companies that produced and marketed the drug over time:
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Sanofi SA
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Pfizer Inc.
GSK Settles Zantac Case, Avoiding Trial
A Zantac lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial on July 24, 2023. However, GSK settled the case in June 2023, for an undisclosed amount. The company refused to admit liability and stated that the settlement was meant to avoid the distractions of a lengthy court battle.
Another lawsuit against GSK was due to go before the Superior Court of California in Alameda County on November 13, 2023. On October 11, GSK said it had reached a confidential settlement. The company also settled three breast cancer cases related to Zantac in California.
What Comes Next?
According to Reuters, GSK is still facing approximately 79,000 Zantac cases in the US, with 73,000 of the cases in Delaware. Cases are currently scheduled to begin in Delaware courts in January.
Reuters states that Citi analysts predict all the Zantac cases against GSK will be settled for a total of about $5 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
Can You File a Zantac Lawsuit? Our Mass Tort Lawyers Will Tell You!
If you used Zantac in the past and are now diagnosed with a form of cancer, you may have the right to file a lawsuit. The best way to learn if you may have a case is to contact our attorneys at Rueb Stoller Daniel.
We offer each new client a free case review, giving you the chance to understand your legal options. Call us today at 1-866-CALL-RSD!
The partners at Rueb Stoller Daniel have over 50 years of combined experience and have represented tens of thousands of people across the country. Our firm has achieved impressive results for clients.
