Plaintiffs Ordered to Withdraw Class Allegations, File Individual Suits for Pretrial Purposes

BALTIMORE - The plaintiffs in a proposed class action suit, which alleged that GlaxoSmithKline's antidepressant Paxil caused them to suffer withdrawal symptoms, were ordered by a federal judge to withdraw class allegations and file separate suits so the cases can be consolidated for pretrial purposes. Frank Mitchell, et al., v. SmithKline Beecham, et al., No. MJG-02-4156 (D. Md.).

According to U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis' Sept. 22 order, each side of the bar must choose two bellweather cases to be part of the First Trial Group, which will be the first to proceed to disposition.

"Discovery shall be limited …