JPML Creates Federal Docket in California for Viagra Melanoma Actions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has created a federal docket for actions alleging that Viagra causes, or increases, the risk of developing melanoma and that Pfizer Inc. failed to warn consumers and health care providers of that risk.

In an April 7 order, the panel transferred the 14 pending actions to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for coordinated pretrial proceedings, explaining that “centralization will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation.”

Judge Richard Seeborg, “an experienced transferee judge who …