Complaint I: People Who Developed Cancer After Using Zantac/Ranitidine
The Master Personal Injury Complaint, or Master PI Complaint, covers those plaintiffs who have already developed cancer as a result of taking Zantac/Ranitidine medication designed, manufactured, tested, marketed, distributed, stored, and sold by a number of defendants. In addition to the four brand manufacturers--Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BI), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer, and Sanofi-- this complaint also names 33 generic manufacturers, 4 distributors, 25 retailers, and 3 repackagers as defendants.
The causes of action alleged in the Master PI Complaint include numerous claims of Strict Products Liability, Negligence, and Breach of Warranty, as well as Loss of Consortium, Survival, and Wrongful Death claims.
"This product had been on the market for a long time and made its manufacturers and retailers billions of dollars until the FDA (and regulatory agencies around the world) directed that it be immediately withdrawn after testing revealed exceedingly high levels of the known carcinogen NDMA in Zantac/Ranitidine," said co-lead Mike McGlamry. "We represent many women, men and children who have been diagnosed with cancer after using this drug as directed by the drug makers."
Complaint II: People Who Used or Purchased Zantac
The 1,371-page Consolidated Consumer Class Action Complaint, or Consumer Class Complaint, is brought by 238 plaintiffs on behalf of all persons in the United States and its territories who purchased and/or used Zantac/Ranitidine. This complaint names most of the same defendants named in the Master PI Complaint above.
"Today marks the beginning of our search for the truth on behalf of millions of people across the United States who paid for a defective and dangerous drug and are now faced with the prospect of developing cancer after they took Zantac/Ranitidine as directed by the companies that made and sold it, said co-lead Bobby Gilbert. "This is yet another example of big business putting profits over the health and welfare of ordinary people."
The Consumer Class Complaint also includes claims for violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and many state laws, including consumer protection and false advertising statutes.
Complaint III: Third-Party Payors Who Paid For or Reimbursed Zantac Products
Finally, the Consolidated Third Party Payor Class Complaint, or TPP Class Complaint, is brought by Plaintiffs NECA-IBEW Welfare Trust Fund, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 630, and Indiana Laborers Welfare Fund on behalf of themselves and other similar third-party payors throughout the United States that paid or reimbursed for defective and dangerous Zantac/Ranitidine products. The TPP Class Complaint asserts claims against BI, GSK, Pfizer and Sanofi, as well as 22 generic manufacturers. Those claims include violations of RICO and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
