Calif. Jury Exonerates Novartis in Two PPA Cases

LOS ANGELES - A California jury absolved Novartis Consumer Health from liability in two cases filed by women who claimed they suffered hemorrhagic strokes as a result of using over-the-counter (OTC) products containing PPA. In re: PPA Litigations, No. JCP-4166 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

On Jan. 23, the jury found that the PPA-containing products, which were two OTC cough/cold remedies manufactured by the Switzerland-based company, were safe when used as directed and sold with adequate warnings. The jury also found that Novartis did not conceal any material facts from the plaintiffs regarding the use of PPA, which was …