Thu, Sep 9, 2010
Tobacco Reporter Magazine Content:
Pfizer faces class action over quit smoking drug
Mar 17, 2010—Three women in British Columbia have started a class-action lawsuit against Pfizer Inc. and its Canadian subsidiary alleging that the smoking-cessation drug, Champix, causes depression and suicidal tendencies, according to a story by Tracy Sherlock for the Vancouver Sun.
One of the women, Patricia Clow, is the mother of Heidi Clow, 22. Heidi Clow committed suicide in October last year while taking Champix, the writ of summons filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on February 10 alleges.
The second plaintiff, Alicia Pickering, alleges in the writ that she became depressed and catatonic after taking Champix for just three weeks. She took a leave of absence from work, contemplated suicide and was ultimately hospitalized, all of which she attributes to the drug.
David Klein, one of two lawyers representing the class-action suit, said in an interview that Pickering had no history of depression or any mental health problems.
"I can tell you that she was only on Champix for a few weeks,” he said. “In fact, after just a few days she started to feel the effects. That's a fairly typical response. It doesn't take that long for people to be severely impacted.”
Nicole McIvor, the third plaintiff, says that while on Champix she attempted suicide by trying to smash her car into an oncoming logging truck.
Champix is the brand name for the drug varenicline tartrate, which is sold in the US under the brand name Chantix.
Pfizer Canada said in a statement that it stood behind Champix and that the drug had helped many people quit smoking.
Mar 17, 2010—Three women in British Columbia have started a class-action lawsuit against Pfizer Inc. and its Canadian subsidiary alleging that the smoking-cessation drug, Champix, causes depression and suicidal tendencies, according to a story by Tracy Sherlock for the Vancouver Sun.
One of the women, Patricia Clow, is the mother of Heidi Clow, 22. Heidi Clow committed suicide in October last year while taking Champix, the writ of summons filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on February 10 alleges.
The second plaintiff, Alicia Pickering, alleges in the writ that she became depressed and catatonic after taking Champix for just three weeks. She took a leave of absence from work, contemplated suicide and was ultimately hospitalized, all of which she attributes to the drug.
David Klein, one of two lawyers representing the class-action suit, said in an interview that Pickering had no history of depression or any mental health problems.
"I can tell you that she was only on Champix for a few weeks,” he said. “In fact, after just a few days she started to feel the effects. That's a fairly typical response. It doesn't take that long for people to be severely impacted.”
Nicole McIvor, the third plaintiff, says that while on Champix she attempted suicide by trying to smash her car into an oncoming logging truck.
Champix is the brand name for the drug varenicline tartrate, which is sold in the US under the brand name Chantix.
Pfizer Canada said in a statement that it stood behind Champix and that the drug had helped many people quit smoking.
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