By: Maureen O'Donnell
Chicago Sun-Times
July 16, 2002
A class-action lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Chicago alleges that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals wrongfully manufactured and marketed Prempro, a combination of estrogen and progestin, increasing health risks for women who took the drug to relieve symptoms of menopause.
The suit names three U.S. women as plaintiffs, including Gayle Lewers of Lake Zurich, alleging Prempro has affected their health or raised questions about their future well-being. Lewers — who took Prempro from 1996 through 1999 — developed five breast tumors, resulting in a mastectomy, the lawsuit says.
The suit, filed by the Chicago law firm of Kenneth B. Moll & Associates, alleges Wyeth did not give proper warnings to the medical community about side effects; failed to perform adequate testing and misrepresented or concealed facts about the drug's safety from the FDA.
Prempro, a Wyeth product, is the leading hormone-replacement drug. A spokesperson for Wyeth could not be reached for comment.