The parents of a 10-year-old boy who suffered a stroke and eventually died after taking Dimetapp filed a $ 41 million lawsuit against the makers of the popular over-the-counter cold medicine. Brad and Donna Walker of Portland accuse American Home Products Corp. of being negligent and failing to provide warnings that a key ingredient in the medication could be dangerous for children. A similar lawsuit was filed in federal court in Philadelphia Monday by a Pennsylvania woman who suffered a debilitating stroke a day after taking Dimetapp. Vicki D. Vogt of Honeybrook, Pa., is seeking $ 40 million.
The lawsuits do not appear to be linked. Officials with Madison, N.J.-based American Home Products, the nation's fifth-largest drug maker, did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Monday. Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that dozens of over-the-counter cold medicines and diet pills contain phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, that could cause hemorrhagic strokes, especially in young women.
The unusually strong warning led a number of major drug store chains to strip the products from shelves, while drug makers reformulated the medicines to remove PPA. Dimetapp, like many other drugs that used PPA, has since been reformulated. Mathew Walker suffered a seizure on June 17, 1996, after his pediatrician told his mother to give him Dimetapp to avoid an ear infection from swimming. The boy died at a Portland hospital in October 1999, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, which is rare in children. He lapsed into a coma and never regained consciousness.
A federal judge has approved a proposed $ 3.75 billion national settlement of health claims stemming from the diet drug combination Fen-Phen, which has been linked to potentially fatal heart valve damage.
Under the settlement approved Monday, Fen-Phen users would get up to $ 1.5 million, though most would get far less, depending on their level of injury and how long they took the drugs. The settlement also includes money for future medical monitoring. U.S. District Judge Louis C. Bechtle gave preliminary approval to the settlement in November. Barring an appeal, attorneys said Fen-Phen users could begin receiving settlement checks as early as January.
More than 9,000 lawsuits have been filed against American Home Products, maker of fenfluramine, the "fen" in the Fen-Phen diet drug combination. The Madison, N.J.-based company sold the combination under the brand name of Pondimin and also made Redux, a chemical cousin.
The drugs were withdrawn in September 1997 after a Mayo Clinic study linked Fen-Phen to potentially fatal heart valve damage. The second drug in the combination, phentermine, was not linked to the problems.
"The settlement resolves the vast majority of the claims and potential claims that the company was facing, and it's a very, very significant step forward in resolving the litigation," said Michael Scott of Philadelphia, one of the attorneys representing American Home.
Attorney Edward F. Blizzard of Houston had objected to the settlement in June on behalf of a group of diet-drug users, saying it would likely be reversed because of all the other lawsuits pending. Blizzard did not immediately return a call for comment Monday. He has said he would appeal if the settlement was approved.
Other opponents have complained that the monetary damages don't go far enough, that the settlement doesn't include compensation for people who may develop health problems later, and that users had inadequate representation.
Of 6 million people who took Fen-Phen before it was pulled from the market, about 45,000 have refused the settlement and retain the right to sue for punitive damages. Some 266,000 others have registered to join the class and may still reject the settlement and sue for compensatory damages but not punitive damages.
At this time of year with 11th November approaching thoughts always turn to those who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars.
On a beautiful summers day in August we visited a typical English summer village fete, held in the grounds of lovely manor house. This scene who have been quite familiar to those living 80 years ago. With a band playing vintage tunes, beautiful gardens to walk around, a coconut shy, tombola, cream teas and homemade cakes.
On the main lawn was a marquee that showed displays and information about RAF Warmwell, which was a Second World War airfield, located close by and now derelict.
In the church next door are the war graves of those that died from that airfield. Those that died were all in their 20's and included British, Canadian, Polish and South African personnel. This is the first time I have come across Commonwealth War Graves in a village churchyard.
My parents and all my aunts and uncles were all in the services during the 1939-1945 and were lucky to come through it all OK, but this summer scene reminded me so vividly that others had not been so lucky. They may not have been able to start families that could enjoy this summer scene.
This post is dedicated to all those that died or suffered as a consequence of that dreadful time in our history.
What a lovely dedication sweet Sarah....and though I had only one family member who served (and who flew over England!), this is a day to remember all who have gone forth so bravely. Your world is SO BEAUTIFUL and look at those flowers....still so bright and alive! Hugs, Anita
Hello Sarah, We are all very grateful for those you gave their lives so we can live our wonderful lives today.. Lovely tribute indeed. Hugs Judy
What a wonderful quote and so true. It's so important to remember. My grandad fought in the war. Such amazing courage. X
I have always been inspired by the stories of Britain's courage during WW2. I'm currently reading a book called Mr. Churchill's Secretary, and so I'm immersed in that time period right now. Remembrance Day is observed all across Canada as well. Even the smallest towns have cenotaphs with people gathered around them.
What a lovely quote and so true. We, in Holland, remember '40-'45 at 4 and 5 of may. Always special days, each year.
Beautiful post today, and I enjoyed reading about the fete too. I always think of Trebah, a local garden, where some of the American forces embarked for D-Day on Remembrance Sunday. Some left that beautiful spot on the Helford and were never to return, so very sad.
I didn't realise that the American forces were based in Cornwall too. Dorset like Devon and Hampshire had many American troops stationed here. Over 20,000 troops departed from Weymouth to fight in France.
I didn't realise there was a RAF base at Warmwell during WW11. Which house did you visit? and which church is that?
The church is Holy Trinity Church at Warmwell and the manor is Warmwell House. As far as I am aware the gardens are is only open once a year when the annual fete takes place.
My grandpa was in the war. We always go to the parades to honor the Veterans. It is also my Birthday so i grew up being told that i am a veterans day baby.
I just finished the second book, Winter of the World, of Ken Follet's millennium trilogy. England lost so many men in both WWI and WWII.
I haven't watched any footage on tv of the parades in London this year yet, my parents usually go to London but this year have gone to Spean Bridge where they have a memorial to the Commandos, wish I was there with them x
Lovely post, thankfully so many people still remember and appreciate their sacrifices. Just recently money has been given to restore a lot of war memorials getting school children involved too.
Such a beautiful post Sarah. In Holland we commemorate the people that fell in the second world war on the 5th of May. I am still grateful for the Americans, Canadians and Polish men who helped to liberate our country.
Sarah, such a beautiful and thoughtful post. The bouquet at the end was perfect. As CJ said, we will not forget them.
Ι didn't know when you commemorate the people victims of the two World Wars ...You created a beautiful tribute to these heros Sarah.I also saw your Queen in TV laying the wreath at the Cenotaph.
It is lovely to see people are still holding service and laying wreaths to commemorate Armistice Day.
Very well put. We take our freedom so much for granted now but it was so close to being a very different world.
A lovely post. There is such a story here, about the airfield and the local village. We always visit our village war memorial for the service on Remembrance Sunday to remember (amongst all the others) the men and women of our community who never came home.
What a lovely tribute to the veterans. The manor looks do regal . Have a lovely week ahead dear Sarah :)