Statewide Class Action Alleges Meridia Manufacturer Made False Misrepresentations

SHREVEPORT, La.-Two Louisiana women initiated a statewide class action claiming that the manufacturers of Meridia failed to conduct sufficient pre-clinical testing for the drug and suppressed information about its potentially dangerous side effects. Chauvin, et al., v. Abbott Laboratories, et al., No. CV02-1618 (W.D. La.).

The action, filed July 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, seeks to establish a medical monitoring subclass for individuals who are currently asymptomatic, a personal injury subclass, a wrongful death subclass, a refund subclass, and a consumer protection subclass.

Meridia, a prescription drug used for weight loss and …