Evidence Shows Inadequate Warnings Caused ONJ, Mo. Magistrate Rules

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri federal magistrate judge denied Novartis’ motion for judgment as a matter of law in an Aredia/Zometa injury case, ruling that the evidence sufficiently established that the drug maker’s inadequate warnings caused a woman to contract osteonecrosis of the jaw. Winter v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., No. 06–4049 (W.D. Mo.).

On Aug. 3, Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth found the evidence demonstrated that Novartis did not take adequate steps to ensure that oncologists prescribing Aredia and Zometa were adequately warned of the risk of ONJ when utilizing the two drugs.

“Evidence presented by plaintiff in …