Ohio Judge Overrules Motion to Consolidate Aredia/Zometa Cases for Trial

CINCINNATI — An Ohio federal judge has refused to consolidate two Aredia/Zometa injury cases for trial, finding the risks of prejudice and juror confusion substantially outweigh the benefits of consolidation.

On Feb. 25, Judge Walter H. Rice of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio agreed with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. that although there are many overlapping witnesses and some common issues of law and fact, individualized questions predominate.

Two Aredia and Zometa injury cases brought by plaintiffs Barbara Bowles and Shirley Sheffer were remanded for trial by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (In re …