Enbrel Makers Adequately Warned Doctors of Risks, Federal Judge Rules

PITTSBURGH - A Pennsylvania federal judge has dismissed a failure-to-warn claim in an Enbrel wrongful death action, ruling that the plaintiff failed to show that the decedent's doctors were inadequately warned of the risk of infection. Salvio v. Amgen Inc., et al., No. 2:11-00553 (W.D. Pa.).

On Feb. 15, Judge Terrence F. McVerry of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania also dismissed a negligent design/defect claim, ruling that the plaintiff failed to identify an alternative design.

In 2005, Janine M. Tragesser was prescribed Enbrel for pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Five years after taking the drug, …