Wyeth to appeal against Philadelphia court decision

Healthcare company Wyeth is planning to appeal against a court ruling that there was a link between hormone treatment given to a woman and her development of breast cancer.

The firm is contesting the jury’s findings and the announcement by the Philadelphia court that the plaintiff should receive $3 million (1.54 million pounds) in compensation.

A law firm acting on behalf of the American pharmaceutical enterprise stated that the trial, which began in January this year, showed that Wyeth acted responsibly by conducting tests on its hormone therapies and ensuring patients and doctors were aware of the potential benefits and risks.

“We respectfully disagree that there is any scientific basis to support the jury’s finding of a causal link between Wyeth’s hormone therapies and the plaintiff’s breast cancer,” commented Barbara R Binis, a lawyer and partner with Reed Smith.

In addition, Wyeth noted that the Food and Drug Administration in the US approved a warning label on its Prempro hormone therapy treatment which warns that its use may be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Last week, the company won a similar case in Arkansas, where a woman claimed that she developed breast cancer as a consequence of taking Wyeth’s Prempro and Premarin products.