Reglan Manufacturers Owed No Duty to Plaintiff, Arkansas Judge Rules

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansas state law does not permit an individual allegedly injured by a generic drug to pursue failure-to-warn and strict liability claims against companies that manufactured the brand-name counterpart, a federal judge has ruled. Bell v. Pfizer Inc., et al., No. 10-101 (E.D. Ark.).

On March 16, Judge Brian S. Miller of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas explained that under Arkansas law, product liability actions are dependent upon product identification.

Shirley J. Bell was prescribed Reglan (metoclopramide) in January 2008 to treat her abdominal pain and digestive problems. She continued to …