1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

---------------------------------------------------------X

JOSEPH SEBESTYEN

and

CAROLYN SEBESTYEN;

Plaintiff,

-againstCOMPLAINT

BAYER CORPORATION, AND JURY

BAYER AG, DEMAND

GLAXOSMITHKLINE, PLC,

GLAXOSMITHKLINE,

SMITHKLINE BEECHAM

Defendants.

-----------------------------------------------------------X

Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, WEITZ & LUXENBERG, P.C., complaining of the defendants herein,

respectfully allege to this Court upon information and belief as follows:

JURISDICTION

1. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S. C. ' 1332.

 The amount in controversy for the plaintiffs exceeds $75, 000.00, exclusive of interest and costs. It is an

action between citizens of different states.

PARTIES

2. Plaintiffs Joseph Sebestyen and Carolyn Sebestyen (herein after referred to as “Plaintiff”

and “Plaintiff-Spouse” respectively) are residents of the State of California, County of San Diego.

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 1 of 32
2

3. Bayer Corporation (herein after referred to as ABayer Corp.@) is a Pennsylvania

Corporation whose principal place of business and address is 100 Bayer Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

15205-9741.

4. Bayer AG is a German corporation whose principal place of business is in Leverkusen,

Germany, and is authorized to do business and is present in the United States, including Pennsylvania.

5. Bayer Corp. was and/or is merely a branch and/or division of defendant Bayer AG due to

common ownership, financial dependency, identity of personnel, failure to observe corporate formalities

and other circumstances.

6. Bayer Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer AG.

7. Bayer AG identifies all of its entities/corporations/divisions as the ABayer Group.@

8. GlaxoSmithKline, PLC is a United Kingdom Corporation with its principal place of

business in the United Kingdom and regularly conducts business in and is present in the Commonwealth

of Pennsylvania.

9. GlaxoSmithKline is a Pennsylvania Corporation with its principal place of business and

address at 1 Franklin Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

10. SmithKline Beecham Corporation (hereinafter referred to as ASmithKline Beecham@) is a

Pennsylvania Corporation whose address and principal place of business is 1 Franklin Plaza, Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, 19101.

11. On December 27, 2000, SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome merged to form

GlaxoSmithKline.

12. Upon information and belief, Baycol is also known as Cerivastatin and Lipobay.

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 2 of 32
3

13. Upon information and belief, Baycol was manufactured in Germany.

14. Upon information and belief, some Baycol that was manufactured in Germany was sold in

the United States.

15. Upon information and belief, at one time Baycol was a registered trademark of GW USA,

Inc.

16. Upon information and belief, Baycol is a registered trademark of GW USA, Inc.

17. Bayer Corporation has listed with the New York Department of State, its Chief Executive

Officer, as being Walter Wenninger, PhD., Bayer AG Board of MGMT, Bayerwerk D-51368,

Leverkusen, Germany.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

18. This is an action against the defendants on behalf of the plaintiffs because plaintiff Baycol

user was prescribed the drug Baycol, also known as Cerivastatin and Lipobay, and who ingested the

prescribed dosage of said drug in accordance with the prescription written by the plaintiff's physicians and

the container label prepared by plaintiff's pharmacists, and who was seriously injured. 

19. Defendants aggressively promoted and sold hundreds of millions of doses of this medication

to hundreds of thousands of persons who had or were thought to have high cholesterol levels.

20. These persons include plaintiff who was wrongly exposed to the harmful effects of Baycol.

21. These harmful effects were known to the defendants at all times relevant to this complaint,

but were not communicated and/or were not adequately communicated to the plaintiffs, plaintiffs=

physicians, pharmacists, other medical professionals or their facilities (hereinafter, "medical professionals"),

and/or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (hereinafter AFDA@). 

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 3 of 32
4

22. At the time of the manufacture, promotion and sale of Baycol to the plaintiffs, the

defendants possessed detailed technical information that indicated that Baycol caused significant and

harmful side effects, including: muscle pain, tenderness and weakness, fatigue, nausea, destruction of

muscle tissue, rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinurea, liver damage, and/or liver failure, kidney damage, and/or

kidney failure, other health problems, and/or death, and was otherwise extremely hazardous. 

23. The defendants concealed this information from plaintiffs and plaintiffs= medical

professionals.

24. The defendants publicly represented that Baycol was safe and posed no significant health

hazards to consumers.

25. In reality, Baycol can be, and is, highly toxic and presents an unacceptable risk of harm to

consumers. 

26. The defendants also unnecessarily put at risk and wrongfully caused plaintiffs harm without

full, proper, and/or timely disclosure, and/or warning of the potential associated risks, hazards, and/or

benefits in a truthful way, and/or otherwise acted in such a way as to be negligent, reckless, and as

otherwise described in this complaint, liable to plaintiffs. 

27. Plaintiffs have suffered damages proximately resulting from the defective nature of Baycol

and defendants= conduct.

28. The defendants were in the business of manufacturing and promoting, marketing,

researching, distributing and selling prescription medications and non-prescription drugs (hereinafter

"marketed"), including Baycol, in the State of Pennsylvania.

29. Plaintiff was prescribed and began taking Baycol subsequent to the time it was introduced

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 4 of 32
5

to the United States.

30. Prior to the intake of the aforementioned Baycol, plaintiff was diagnosed as suffering from

high cholesterol levels, but were otherwise in reasonably stable health.

31. As a result of taking of defendants' Baycol, plaintiffs suffered damages and injuries. These

damages include, but are not limited to, pain, suffering, loss in quality of life, loss of earnings and

diminution in earning capacity, loss of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and expenses for

reasonable hospital, nursing, and medical services.

32. At the time that the defendants promoted Baycol, there existed five (5) other drugs known

as statins available in the United States to treat high cholesterol.

33. The reason that Baycol was marketed by the manufacturing defendants was to make a

profit.

34. The defendants, individually and jointly, aggressively took action to accelerate Baycol for

approval by the FDA.

35. By July, 1997, the defendants had fraudulently, negligently, recklessly and/or otherwise in

bad faith and in violation of their responsibility to the consuming public and their medical professionals,

secured FDA approval for Baycol.

36. The defendants marketed Baycol from February 1998 until August 2001, at which time the

drug was withdrawn by Defendants from the United States market.

37. The FDA approved of and supported the withdrawal of Baycol.

38. Prior to 1998, and at times subsequent, the defendants had knowledge of Baycol's potential

to cause: muscle pain, tenderness and weakness, fatigue, nausea, myoglobinuria, muscle tissue

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 5 of 32
6

destruction, kidney damage, liver damage, kidney failure, liver failure, rhabdomyolysis, other injuries,

illnesses and conditions, and/or death.

39. Months prior to the recall of Baycol, British regulators had already banned certain dosage

levels of Baycol. Japan had also limited sales of Baycol to .3mg.or less, and the FDA considered a

similar reduction in Baycol doses available in the United States.

40. Many Baycol related injuries, illnesses and fatalities occurred with the introduction of

Baycol=s .8mg. dose in August of 2000.

41. After deaths related to Baycol were reported, defendants instructed salesmen to not give

away samples of the .8mg. dose.

42. Deaths from Baycol have been related to .4 mg. and .8mg. doses of Baycol alone as well

as when Baycol was used simultaneously with Gemfibrozil, another cholesterol-reducing medication.

43. Since 1987 it has been known that Statins, the name for the class of cholesterol reducing

medications which includes Baycol, can cause muscle pain and tenderness, as well as kidney and liver

damage, kidney and liver failure, as well as Rhabdomyolysis-a painful, life-threatening condition where

muscle tissue is destroyed, and travels through the blood stream. Progressive cases cause kidney damage

and can lead to kidney failure, renal failure and death.

44. Reports of severe rhabdomyolysis were reported 10 times as frequently with Baycol use

as opposed to other cholesterol reducing medications.

45. Fatal Rhabdomyolysis with Baycol is reported when Baycol is used alone, in higher doses,

by elderly patients and when used simultaneously with Gemfibrozil, also known as Lopid. Symptoms

include: Muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise, fever, dark urine, nausea and vomiting. The pain

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 6 of 32
7

may involve specific groups of muscles or may be generalized throughout the body. Often in the muscles

of the calves and lower back, but some victims have no muscle injury. Sometimes the injury is so severe

that renal failure and/or organ failure follows, and can lead to death.

46. The defendants also had knowledge of other related health problems and potential

problems including nausea, fatigue, loss of strength and mobility in upper and lower extremities, liver

damage, kidney damage, irreversible liver and kidney failure, and/or death.

47. Since 1999 Bayer and the FDA knew of increased occurrence of illness and/or death when

Baycol and Gemfibrozil, another cholesterol reducing medication, were used simultaneously.

48. Prior to presenting the matter to the FDA, defendants had failed to conduct sufficient,

necessary and/or appropriate studies regarding the safety and efficacy of Baycol, and/or conducted

studies that would be sufficient but Defendants suppressed or modified information from such studies.

49. Despite this fact, defendants represented the contrary to the FDA, the National Institute

of Health (hereinafter ANIH@), the consuming public and medical professionals.

50. Based on the studies conducted the defendants knew or should have known that Baycol

posed serious and potentially dangerous and life threatening hazards to persons to whom it would be

prescribed.

51. Moreover, after knowing that Baycol was harmful to health and could cause life-threatening

illness to persons who consumed it, defendants through their agents and employees, continued to promote

the use of Baycol to physicians who would be prescribing the drug to persons such as plaintiffs and the

members of the public. They failed to adequately and timely inform the consuming public, federal

authorities, the FDA and/or medical professionals. 

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 7 of 32
8

52. The defendants engaged in conduct designed to corrupt the approval process for Baycol

and generally defraud the FDA and the consuming public, including the plaintiffs . 

53. As part of, and subsequent to, its highly promoted release to the consuming public in

February of 1998, the defendants had knowingly, intentionally, fraudulently, negligently, recklessly and/or

otherwise in bad faith and in violation of their duties to the consuming public and the plaintiffs, touted

Baycol as virtually free of side effects, despite the fact that defendants= own research indicated that

Baycol users were significantly more likely to suffer muscle tissue pain and destruction, rhabdomyolysis,

liver injury and/or failure, kidney injury and/or failure and death.

54. Statements from the defendants relating to Baycol were later found to be inaccurate,

incomplete, and/or false and misleading by federal regulators. The FDA has issued numerous warnings

concerning the danger of Baycol, since its approval of the drug, which was based on statements made

to it by the defendants.

55. The defendants actively concealed the dangers relating to Baycol from the plaintiffs, the

FDA, the world-wide consuming population of high cholesterol medicating patients and medical

professionals.

56. The plaintiffs did not know and were not made aware of the full extent of the risks and

dangers associated with Baycol. The defendants intended to deceive the consuming public, medical

professionals and the plaintiffs into believing that Baycol was safe, when it knew or should have

reasonably known the true nature and extent of the serious side effects. The defendants failed to provide

adequate warnings to the plaintiffs and/or plaintiffs= physicians and other medical professionals, regarding

these dangerous side effects. In fact, the defendants warranted and represented that the risks of Baycol

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 8 of 32
9

outweighed the benefits and that the drug was safe.

57. Had the plaintiffs known of the full extent of the risks and dangers associated with Baycol,

the plaintiff would not have taken Baycol.

58. On February 18, 1998, Bayer Corporation, Pharmaceutical Division and SmithKline

Beecham announced the launch of Baycol. The initial production was at the .2 and .3 mg. dosage. 

Baycol was similarly released in Canada in March of 1998.

59. On May 26, 1999 the FDA approved a .4 mg. dose of Baycol.

60. The FDA approval of the .4 mg. Baycol dose was based on data provided from 2 studies

performed with patients over 8 weeks. Doses lower than .4 mg. were recommended for patients with

significant renal impairment.

61. The Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and

Communication (DDMAC) objected to Bayer Corporation=s promotional material for Baycol in an

October 25, 1999 letter. The DDMAC=s objections included allegations of :

- misleading claims that Baycol is superior to other statins because of its synthetic makeup;

-misleading claims as to enzyme inhibition;

-overstating the efficacy of Baycol;

-failure to effectively present information regarding side effects and contraindications; and

-inadequate disclaimers and footnotes.

62. In December of 1999 the first deaths were reported due to rhabdomyolysis in Baycol

patients.

63. On July 24, 2000, the FDA approved the .8 mg. dose of Baycol.

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 9 of 32
10

64. On May 21, 2001, Bayer issued a letter to Health Care Professionals regarding:

a. Voluntary changes to prescribing information for Baycol, specifically revising

the ADosage and Administration@ section to Ahighlight that .4 mg. is the starting dose for Baycol (1

time per day).....[o]nly patients requiring further lipid adjustment should be titrated to .8 mg.@ Lower

doses were recommended for patients with significant renal impairment.

b. Bayer added a section to the AWarnings-Skeletal Muscle@ section reinforcing

the .4 mg. start dose stating that ABeginning therapy above .4 mg. ...increases the risk of myopathy

and rhabdomyolysis.@

c. The APatient Information@ section states Aif you are taking Baycol for the first

time, your daily dose should be .4 mg. or lower.@

 The correspondence was insufficient to achieve its purpose. It was not complete, did not contain sufficient

detail to accomplish its so-called purpose of providing timely and complete disclosure to medical

professionals of what the defendants knew and was not otherwise designed to capture the attention of its

audience.

65. On August 8, 2001 Bayer issued another letter to Health Care Professionals reporting

increased cases of rhabdomyolysis in Baycol users compared to users of other similar medications

Aespecially when gemfibrozil is co-prescribed...(and) at the .8 mg. dose of Baycol alone.@ The

correspondence was insufficient to achieve its purpose. It was not complete, did not contain sufficient

detail to accomplish its so-called purpose of providing timely and complete disclosure to medical

professionals of what the defendants knew and was not otherwise designed to capture the attention of its

audience.

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 10 of 32
11

66. On August 8, 2001, Bayer withdrew Baycol from the US market following reports that at

least 32 deaths in the United States from rhabdomyolysis were related to the use of Baycol. Incidents

of Rhabdomyolysis had been reported with use of other cholesterol medications, however, fatal cases

were reported at a significantly higher rate with Baycol.

67. Bayer=s letter to patients briefly stated that Bayer is pulling Baycol, mentioning increased

reports of Rhabdomyolysis, particularly when used with gemfibrozil, and added that A[i]f you have been

treated successfully with Baycol/Lipobay in the past (and not in combination therapy with gemfibrozil),

there is no reason for you to be concerned.@ The correspondence was insufficient to achieve its purpose.

 It was not complete, did not contain sufficient detail to accomplish its so-called purpose of providing

timely and complete disclosure to plaintiffs and/or medical professionals of what the defendants knew and

was not otherwise designed to capture the attention of its audience.

68. The recommended changes and the reasons for the announcement were known to the

defendants for an extensive period of time prior to May 21, 2001 and well before Baycol=s recall on

August 8, 2001. Therefore, the defendants did not timely, fully and adequately provide notice to or

otherwise fulfill its duty to the plaintiffs, the consuming public and medical professionals.

69. The defendants= singular motive in their aggressive promotion of Baycol was profit. Baycol

was one of Bayer Corp.'s biggest selling prescription drugs, being used by approximately 6 million people,

generating over 500 million dollars in sales in the year 2000 alone. Baycol's sales were projected to

increase by another 50% to over 800 million dollars for 2001.

70. No adequate notice or warning to plaintiffs, prescribing physicians, the consuming public

and/or medical professionals was given by the defendants on these issues. 

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 11 of 32
12

71. GlaxoSmithKline/SmithKline Beecham promoted, marketed and distributed Baycol in the

United States before and since its release in 1998.

72. Bayer Corp. promoted, marketed and distributed Baycol in the United States before and

since its release in 1998.

73. Prior to the merger of SmithKline Beecham with GlaxoWellcome into defendant

GlaxoSmithKline, as a result of defendant GlaxoSmithKline's Adue diligence@ and other research and

investigation of SmithKline Beecham, defendant GlaxoSmithKline knew or should have known of all the

aforementioned conduct by SmithKline Beecham.

74. As a result of the merger of SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome into defendant

GlaxoSmithKline, as alleged in paragraph 11 above, defendant GlaxoSmithKline assumed and/or is

otherwise liable for all of the aforementioned conduct by SmithKline Beecham.

EQUITABLE TOLLING OF APPLICABLE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

75. Plaintiffs adopt by reference the allegations contained and set forth in paragraphs 1 through

74 herein.

76. The defendants did not and/or refused to make to the consuming public and medical

professionals, timely and full disclosure in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons taking

Baycol, including the plaintiffs and all physicians prescribing Baycol, the full extent and nature of the

attendant risks and known or reasonably known dangers of taking Baycol. The Defendants failed to

maintain a contemporaneous database of prescribing physicians and/or persons to whom Baycol caused

injury or death. The defendants failed to report contemporaneously instances of injury or death caused

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 12 of 32
13

by Baycol. The defendants failed to follow through on efficacy and safety of Baycolstudies and report

same to the FDA. This was true despite the fact that lingering safety and effectiveness questions existed.

The inherent defects of the bad drug, Baycol are latent and self-concealing. Even in the exercise of

reasonable care, the plaintiffs simply could not have discovered that such inherent defects existed. By

suppressing the dissemination of information regarding the hazards, dangers and attendant risks of taking

Baycol, the defendants intentionally foreclosed plaintiffs from learning of Baycol=s latent defects. This

foreclosure continues through this date.

77. Any applicable statutes of limitations have been tolled by the defendant=s acts of fraudulent

concealment and denial of the facts alleged in this complaint. Such acts of fraudulent concealment include:

a) knowingly, intentionally and/or recklessly covering up and refusing to disclose internal documents, b)

failing to disclose that Baycol was inherently dangerous; and c) misrepresenting the character, quality and

nature of Baycol in order to deceive consumers, their physicians and medical professionals, including the

releasing of reports which purported to conclude that Baycol was safe. Through such acts of fraudulent

concealment the defendants were able to conceal from the public, their physicians, medical professionals,

the FDA, and the National Institute of Health, the truth about Baycol=s defects, thereby tolling the running

of any applicable statue of limitations. The plaintiffs could not reasonably have discovered the true facts

of Baycol=s danger, the full extent of the truth having been fraudulently and knowingly concealed by the

defendants from the date it was first released to a consuming public and/or to medical providers and/or

their facilities, through the present date.

78. Furthermore, the defendants are estopped from relying on any statute of limitations because

of their fraudulent concealment of the true character, quality and nature of Baycol. The defendants were

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 13 of 32
14

under a duty to disclose the true character, quality and nature of Baycol because this was non-public

information over which the defendants had and continue to have exclusive control, and because the

defendants knew that this information was not available to the plaintiffs, medical providers and/or to their

facilities. In addition, the defendants are estopped from relying on any statute of limitations because of

their intentional concealment of these facts.

79. The plaintiffs had no knowledge that the defendants were engaged in the wrongdoing

alleged herein. Because of the fraudulent acts of concealment of wrongdoing by the defendants, the

plaintiffs could not have reasonably discovered the wrongdoing at any time prior. Also, the economies

of this fraud should be considered. The defendants had the ability to and did spend enormous amounts

of money in furtherance of their purpose of marketing and promoting a profitable drug, notwithstanding

the known or reasonably known risks. Plaintiffs and medical professionals could not have afforded and

could not have possibly conducted studies to determine the nature, extent and identity of related health

risks, and were forced to rely on only the defendants= representations.

COUNT I

FRAUD

80. The plaintiffs hereby adopt, repeat and reallege and incorporate by reference herein the

allegations contained and set forth in paragraphs 1 through 79.

81. Defendants= representations through national advertising, promotional campaigns,

standardized package inserts, related materials, purchased or subsidized so-called expert opinions both

orally and in print and in correspondence to healthcare professionals, and in submissions and reports to

the FDA, and product information regarding the characteristics of and the quality of Baycol, were false,

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 14 of 32
15

misleading, outdated, materially incorrect in fact, and were made knowingly, intentionally, and/or willfully

to deceive without regard to the safety and use of the product and were acted on in reasonable reliance

by plaintiffs, plaintiffs= prescribing physicians and medical professionals, to plaintiffs= substantial detriment

and injury.

82. Defendants= representations as set forth above regarding the quality and characteristics of

Baycol were willful and/or reckless misrepresentations of material fact made with the intent to induce

plaintiffs and plaintiffs did, without knowledge of their falsity, directly or indirectly justifiably act upon those

willful misrepresentations to plaintiffs= injury, as evidenced by plaintiffs= purchase and consumption of

Baycol.

83. Defendants either knew or should have known that Baycol was dangerous and not as

effective for its purpose as represented, and posed greater risks than disclosed.

84. Defendants were under a duty to disclose this information to the plaintiffs under laws

requiring it not to engage in false and deceptive trade practices, and as otherwise alleged in this complaint,

because defendants made representations and partial disclosures concerning the nature and quality of their

product which they had a duty to correct, because defendants were in a superior position to know the

true state of the facts about the dangerous and defective nature of Baycol and its known risks to the

plaintiffs and because the defects of Baycol were latent. These intentional representations suppressed

and/or concealed material facts, including but not limited to:

a. suppressing and/or mischaracterizing the known risks to health and

effectiveness;

b. failing to timely and fully disclose the results of tests and studies on the risks

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 15 of 32
16

 to health and effectiveness;

c. failing to disseminate adequate warnings which would disclose the nature and

extent of the side effects of the product, the risks to health, and effectiveness;

d. failing to disclose that adequate and/or standard and/or generally accepted

standards for pre-clinical testing had not been done;

e. failing to disclose that adequate and/or standard and/or generally accepted

standards for post-marketing testing had not been done;

f. failing to disclose that alternative products and methods available posed less

risk then Baycol and were at least as effective;

g. failing to conduct adequate tests and studies on the product prior to marketing

and making representations as set forth in this complaint;

h. failing to reveal the full nature and extent of the known risks and hazards

associated with Baycol; and

i. as otherwise described in this complaint, to be discovered during this litigation

and to be proven at trial.

85. As a direct and proximate result of the defendants= fraud, plaintiffs were caused to suffer

damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss in the quality of life, loss of society and

comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses, including, but not limited to, prescription

medicines, medical, hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of earnings, diminution in earning capacity

and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs= demands all damages to which plaintiffs are entitled

to under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable, including interest, costs, attorney fees, and

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 16 of 32
17

punitive damages.

COUNT II

NEGLIGENCE

86. Plaintiffs herein incorporate by reference as if fully set forth herein each and every allegation

set forth in paragraphs 1 through 85. Plaintiffs, in the alternative, plead that the acts described as intentional,

deliberate, outrageous, or knowing were instead negligent and/or reckless.

87. The defendants are liable because they breached their duty to the plaintiffs. They were

negligent and/or reckless in the licensing, testing, design, manufacture, packaging, warning, advertising,

promotion, distribution, representation before the FDA and NIH, and in the sale of Baycol. Said negligence

and/or recklessness includes, but is not limited to:

a. manufacturing, compounding, testing, inspecting, packaging, labeling,

distributing, marketing, examining, selling and preparing said drug in such manner that it would avoid

the risk of injury to the health of users when Baycol was being used in the treatment of high

cholesterol levels;

b. manufacturing, compounding, testing, packaging, labeling, and distributing

Baycol which was unsafe when it reached the hands of consuming public and medical professionals,

including the plaintiffs;

c. failing to warn and/or to adequately warn medical professionals and the

consuming public of all of the risks associated with the use of said drug;

d. failing to warn the consuming public directly and through their prescribing

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 17 of 32
18

physicians and medical professionals, of the unreasonably dangerous defects associated with said

drug after said defendant had knowledge of the same thereby breaching the continuing duty to

warn;

e. failing to accompany the product with proper, adequate, necessary and timely

warnings regarding the possible adverse side effects associated with the use of Baycol and the

comparative severity and duration of such adverse effects. The warnings given by the manufacturer

did not accurately reflect the symptoms, scope and severity of the side effects known or which

should have been reasonably known at the time;

f. providing adequate training and/or warnings to medical professionals for the

appropriate use of Baycol;

g. warning plaintiffs and medical professionals prior to actively encouraging the

sale of Baycol either directly or in directly, orally or in writing, about the following:

i. the need for comprehensive regular monitoring to assure early discovery

of potentially serious side effects;

ii. the possibility of becoming seriously ill, injured, disabled or killed

as a result of the drug=s use and/or having to undergo liver surgery,

kidney surgery, dialysis treatment, extensive physical therapy, 

and/or to have serious side effects involving the liver, kidney, and

skeletal muscle tissues;

iii. that liver enzymes may become dangerously high and may result in

permanent injuries;

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 18 of 32
19

iv. the potential for serious kidney injury, kidney failure and the need for

kidney dialysis treatment;

v. the potential for suffering serious muscle damage and possibility for

extensive physical therapy treatment;

vi. the potential for developing rhabdomyolysis and/or myoglobinuria as a

result of muscle tissue damage; and,

vii. the nature and extent of adequate medical testing during the use of Baycol;

h. failing to adequately test and/or warn about the serious side effects of Baycol;

i. failing to include adequate warnings with the product that would alert consumers,

medical professionals and other users to the potential risks and the nature, extent, scope, severity and

duration of the serious side effects of Baycol;

j. failing to inform the FDA and/or the NIH in a timely manner of new information as

they became aware of it regarding the potential risks and the nature, extent, scope severity and duration of

the serious side effects of Baycol;

k. continuing to promote the efficacy and safety of the product while providing

inadequate warnings and failing to disclose the full extent of the known risk of liver damage, kidney damage,

muscle tissue damage, and/or death of which the defendants knew; and;

l. delaying warnings of and then failing to provide adequate warnings about liver

damage and/or failure, kidney damage and/or failure, muscle tissue damage and other health problems

and/or death which may have dissuaded medical providers from prescribing the product and depriving the

medical providers from weighing the true risks against the benefits of prescribing the Baycol;

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 19 of 32
20

88. The defendants knew or should have known that Baycol caused unreasonably dangerous

side effects which many users would be unable to remedy by any means and that there were safer

alternative methods for the treatment of high cholesterol levels, but continued to overstate the benefits of

Baycol and understate the attendant risks and continue to aggressively market and promote Baycol to the

consuming public and medical professionals.

89. Agents, servants, consultants, experts and employees of the defendants: Bayer

Corporation; Bayer AG; GlaxoSmithkline; GlaxoSmithkline, PLC and SmithKline Beecham engaged in

the manufacture, marketing, promotion and distribution or Baycol to plaintiffs and others in the United

States, knew or should have known that the Baycol which they marketed and sold was defective and

unreasonably dangerous.

90. Said defendants were obligated to use reasonable means and efforts to ascertain the truth

of the representations that they were making to medical professionals and others in their marketing

campaign and product information, and said defendants failed to use ordinary and reasonable care to

communicate the dangers to the prescribing physicians.

91. The defendants, and each one individually, are liable to the plaintiffs for their negligence

and/or recklessness. 

92. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence and/or recklessness of the defendants

and each one individually and as a result of the defendants= actions and/or inactions as set forth in this

complaint, caused plaintiffs to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss in the

quality of life, loss of society and comfort, loss of consortium and to incur related expenses, including, but

not limited to, prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well loss of earnings,

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 20 of 32
21

diminution in earning capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demands all

damages to which plaintiffs are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable, including

interest, costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

COUNT III

FAILURE TO WARN-STRICT LIABILITY

93. The plaintiffs hereby adopt and incorporate herein the allegations contained and set forth

in paragraphs 1 through 92.

94. Bayer Corporation, Bayer AG, GlaxoSmithKline, GlaxoSmithKline PLC and SmithKline

Beecham at all times relevant hereto, were engaged in the marketing, promotion, formulation,

manufacture, marketing, distribution and sale of Baycol. Said defendants are strictly liable in tort to the

plaintiffs for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

a. Baycol was defective, unsafe and unreasonably dangerous for its intended

and/or foreseeable uses.

b. a. In formulating, manufacturing, distributing and prescribing a drug in such

an unreasonably dangerous condition that it was likely to cause harm to users thereof when being

used for its intended purpose.

c. In distributing, promoting and selling Baycol not accompanied by adequate

warnings of the danger that were known or should have been known and by violating their duty and

obligation to provide adequate warnings of the dangers known or which should have been known

to physicians who would be prescribing Baycol to the plaintiff. The product was unaccompanied

by proper warnings regarding all known or reasonably knowable potential side effects associated

with the use of Baycol, and the comparative nature, extent, severity, incidence and duration of such

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 21 of 32
22

adverse effects. The warnings given did not accurately reflect the signs, symptoms, incidence,

scope or severity of the side effects, and/or identify appropriate testing, monitoring and/or remedial

action. The defendants negligently failed to communicate to prescribing medical professionals in

a timely manner information necessary for their purposes, thus placing the consuming public at risk.

d. The defendants failed to perform adequate testing that would have

revealed that Baycol possessed serious potential side effects. They also failed to monitor the

situation as it developed. As a result of this failure, full and proper warnings were not made that

would have accurately and fully reflected the symptoms, scope and severity of this drug.

e. Each of the defendants were aware that Baycol, which was manufactured and

supplied by the defendants, would be used without inspection and study for the defects inherent in

Baycol as alleged, and that given the resources of the consuming public and their medical

professionals, any reasonably anticipated inspection would have failed to detect the defects.

f. Each of the defendants expected and knew that Baycol would reach the

consumers and their medical professionals. Baycol was, in fact, received by the plaintiff and

medical professionals without change in the condition in which the drug was first manufactured and

sold.

g. The plaintiff was a foreseeable user of the product and used the product in its

intended manner and suffered serious harm and injury because of said use.

95. The Baycol manufactured and/or supplied by the defendants was defective due to

inadequate post-marketing warnings and/or instructions because, after the defendants knew or should have

known of the risks of injury from Baycol, they failed to provide adequate warnings to consumers of the

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 22 of 32
23

product and continued to aggressively promote Baycol and in doses higher than initially approved by the

FDA.

96. As a direct and proximate cause of the defective condition of Baycol as manufactured

and/or supplied by the defendants and as a direct and proximate cause of their negligence, carelessness,

and/or other wrongdoings and actions as described herein, plaintiffs suffered and will continue to suffer

injury, harm, and economic loss.

97. Based on information and belief, the defendants knew of Baycol=s defective nature, but

continued to design, market, promote, manufacture and sell Baycol so as to maximize sales and profits

at the expense of the health and safety of the consuming public and with conscience disregard of

foreseeable harm.

98. The defendants, as pharmaceutical manufacturers and sellers, had a duty to warn of adverse

drug reactions which it knows or has reason to know, are inherent in the use of its pharmaceutical

products.

99. Prior to 1997 and/or through the date it was withdrawn from the U.S. market, the

defendants knew or should have known of the risks related to Baycol, including, but not limited to, those

specifically stated in this complaint. 

100. In light of this knowledge, the defendants had a duty to warn prescribing physicians and

consumers, of the known or suspected risks of Baycol arising from its use.

101. The defendants were negligent in the manufacturing, marketing, promotion and sale of the

Baycol purchased by the plaintiff, including, but not limited to, the following:

a. failing to warn prescribing physicians or consumer patients of the actual and

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 23 of 32
24

known risk of suffering injury to the liver, suffering injury to the kidneys, suffering injury to the

muscle tissues, and/or otherwise suffering injury or death inherent in the use of this product;

b. failing to adequately warn prescribing physicians or consumer patients of the

early symptoms of injury to the liver, kidneys, muscle tissue and/or other injuries inherent in the use

of this product, the risk of which was known or reasonably should have been known, to be greater

than the defendants= writings, inserts and promotions represented;

c. failing to fully disclose to the FDA its knowledge and the nature and extent of

known problems with regard to injury to the liver, kidneys, muscle tissue and/or other injuries

inherent in the use of this product, including the risk of death, the risks of which were known or

reasonably should have been known, to be greater than what was represented in its writings, inserts

and promotions represented; and

d. promoting use of Baycol in an aggressive and fraudulent manner, despite

evidence against the representations that the defendants made as to its safety, effectiveness and its

association with injury to the liver, kidneys, muscle tissue, and/or other injuries, and the risk of death

inherent in the use of this product.

102. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence and negligence per se of the defendants

and each one individually and as a result of the defendants= actions and/or inactions as set forth in this

complaint, plaintiffs were caused to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss

in the quality of life, loss of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses, including,

but not limited to, prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of earnings,

diminution in earning capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demand all damages

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 24 of 32
25

to which plaintiffs are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable, including interest,

costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

COUNT IV

DEFECTIVE DESIGN - STRICT LIABILITY

103. The plaintiffs hereby adopt and incorporate herein the allegations contained as set forth in

paragraphs 1 through 102.

104. The Baycol manufactured and/or supplied by the defendants was placed into the stream

of commerce in a defective and unreasonably dangerous condition in that the foreseeable risks exceeded

the benefits associated with the design or formulation.

105. The Baycol manufactured and/or supplied by the defendants was placed into the stream

of commerce with a defective design or formulation because it was unreasonably dangerous and more

dangerous than an ordinary consumer would expect, and more dangerous than other forms of treatment

for reducing cholesterol levels.

106. As set forth in this complaint and otherwise, the defendants knew of Baycol=s defective

nature, but continued to design, manufacture, market, promote, represent to the consuming public,

pharmacies, their prescribing physicians, and the medical and general public that Baycol was safe for the

sole purpose of maximizing sales and profits at the expense of the public health and safety in conscience

disregard of the foreseeable harm caused by Baycol.

107. As a direct and proximate result of the defendants= actions and/or inactions as set forth in

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 25 of 32
26

this complaint, plaintiffs were caused to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and

loss in the quality of life, loss of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses,

including, but not limited to, prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of

earnings, diminution in earning capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demand

all damages to which plaintiffs are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable,

including interest, costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

COUNT V

BREACH OF IMPLIED WARRANTY

108. Plaintiffs herein incorporate by reference as if fully set forth herein each and every allegation

contained in paragraphs 1 through 107.

109. At all times material hereto, the defendants marketed, sold and distributed Baycol and

knew and promoted the use for which the aforesaid drug was being used by plaintiffs and medical

professionals, and impliedly warranted to plaintiffs that the aforesaid medications were of merchantable

quality and safe for their intended use.

110. The Plaintiffs and medical professionals reasonably relied on the skill, expertise and

judgment of the defendants and their representations as to the fact that Baycol was safe for its intended

use and of merchantable quality.

111. The Baycol manufactured and supplied by the defendants was neither safe for the intended

use nor of merchantable quality, as warranted by these defendants in that the drugs had dangerous and

life threatening side effects.

112. The defendants breached their implied warranty of merchantability in that Baycol is

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 26 of 32
27

defective and not fit for the ordinary purpose it is used; the treatment of high cholesterol levels.

113. As a direct and proximate result of the defendants= breach of warranty, the plaintiffs were

caused to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss in the quality of life, loss

of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses, including, but not limited to,

prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of earnings, diminution in earning

capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demand all damages to which plaintiffs

are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable, including interest, costs, attorney fees,

and punitive damages.

COUNT VI

BREACH OF EXPRESS WARRANTY

114. Plaintiffs herein incorporate by reference as if fully set forth herein each and every allegation

contained in paragraphs 1 through 113.

115. Defendants expressly warranted that Baycol was safe for its intended use and as otherwise

described in this complaint. Baycol did not conform to these express representations, including, but not

limited to, the representation that it was well accepted in patient studies, the representation that it was

safe, and the representation that it did not have high and/or unacceptable levels of life-threatening side

effects and as otherwise set forth in this complaint and/or in the defendants= materials. As previously

alleged, notice has been presented to the defendants. This breach of express warranty claim is asserted

under 15 U.S.C. 2310(d)(1), or alternatively, to any extent that the Magunson-Moss Act is found

inapplicable, under UCC 2-313(2)(c), and/or for breach of contract.

116. As a direct and proximate result of the defendants= breach of warranty, plaintiffs were

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 27 of 32
28

caused to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss in the quality of life, loss

of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses, including, but not limited to,

prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of earnings, diminution in

earning capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demand all damages to which

plaintiffs are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable, including interest, costs,

attorney fees, and punitive damages.

COUNT VII

NEGLIGENCE PER SE

117. Plaintiffs herein incorporate by reference as if fully set forth herein each and every allegation

contained in paragraphs 1 through 116.

118. Defendants have an obligation not to violate the law.

119. Defendants have violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301, et.

Seq., related amendments and codes and federal regulations promulgated thereunder, and other

applicable state and federal laws.

120. Plaintiff, as purchaser and consumer of Baycol, and spouse of the Baycol user are within

the class of persons the statutes described above are designed to protect. Injury due to false, misleading

and/or reckless advertising and promotion, and misbranding, misleading products and as otherwise set

forth in this complaint is the specific type of harm these and other statutes are designed to prevent.

121. Defendants are responsible to plaintiffs for injuries incurred for their violations of the statutes

described above under the doctrine of negligence per se.

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 28 of 32
29

122. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence and negligence per se of the defendants

and each one individually and as a result of the defendants= actions and/or inactions as set forth in this

complaint, plaintiffs were caused to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss

in the quality of life, loss of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses,

including, but not limited to, prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of

earnings, diminution in earning capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demand

all damages to which plaintiffs are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable,

including interest, costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

COUNT VIII

LOSS OF CONSORTIUM

123. Plaintiffs herein incorporate by reference as if fully set forth herein each and every allegation

contained in paragraphs 1 through 122.

124. Plaintiff married Plaintiff-Spouse prior to the use of Baycol.

125. Plaintiff and Plaintiff-Spouse were married at the time of Plaintiff’s use of Baycol and were

married at all relevant times herein.

126. As a direct and proximate result of the defendants= wrongdoing as set forth in this

Complaint, Plaintiff-Spouse, was caused to suffer a loss of consortium and will continue to suffer a loss

of consortium.

COUNT IX

PUNITIVE DAMAGES

127. Plaintiffs herein adopt and incorporate herein the allegations contained and set forth in

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 29 of 32
30

paragraphs 1 through 126.

128. Defendants conduct in manufacturing, marketing, selling, distributing, testing and

submitting for FDA approval was outrageous, that is, done with bad motives and/or with a reckless

indifference to the interest of others, including plaintiffs, the consuming public, health care professionals

and the FDA.

129. As a direct and proximate result of the defendants= outrageous conduct, plaintiffs were

caused to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, and loss in the quality of life,

loss of society and comfort, loss of consortium, and to incur related expenses, including, but not

limited to, prescription medicines, medical hospital and nursing costs as well as loss of earnings,

diminution in earning capacity and/or other costs as proof will show, and the plaintiffs demand all

damages to which plaintiffs are entitled under the law in an amount deemed fair and reasonable,

including interest, costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 30 of 32
31

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment against each defendant individually and/or jointly

for compensatory damages and punitive damages together with interest, costs of suit and attorney=s fees

and such other relief as the Court deems proper.

DEMAND FOR A JURY TRIAL

Demand is hereby made for a trial by jury.

Dated: Cherry Hill, NJ

June 18, 2002

_________________________________

Franklin P. Solomon (PA-74231)

WEITZ & LUXENBERG, P.C.

Attorneys for Plaintiff(s)

51 Haddonfield Road

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Tel. (856) 488-9001

Paul J. Pennock

180 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

Tel. (212) 558-5500

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 31 of 32
32

Tel. (212) 558-5504

Fax: (212) 363-2721

T:\DMDL\Baycol\CLIENTS\EDPA.complaint..Sebestyen,Jwd

Case 2:02-cv-04262-CG Document 1 Filed 06/27/2002 Page 32 of 32