Federal Jury: Heartburn Drug Did Not Cause Fatal Heart Attack

NEW ORLEANS - A federal jury on March 26 vindicated the manufacturer of Propulsid from claims that the heartburn drug caused a man to suffer a fatal heart attack. Patricia L. Diez, et al., v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., No. 00-2577 (E.D. La.).

The second trial to go before a jury involving injuries or death allegedly caused by the medication began on March 17 and lasted eight days.

Lead plaintiff Patricia Diez asserted claims against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc. alleging that Propulsid contributed to her husband's death and that the manufacturer failed to adequately …