Mass. Suit Says Merck’s Interferon Solution Causes Blindness

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man who was allegedly left blind after undergoing interferon treatment has accused Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK) of failing to warn that its Intron A solution can cause optic topic neuropathy.

The suit, originally filed in state court, was removed by the drug maker to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Jan. 8.

In 2009, after being diagnosed with melanoma, John DeLuca underwent chemotherapy treatment. After one month of infusions at the hospital, DeLuca was discharged and prescribed Interferon Alfa-2b Recombinant solution, also known as Intron A, according to the suit.