Learned Intermediary Doctrine Defeats Seroquel Injury Claims, D.C. Judge Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The learned intermediary doctrine defeats claims that AstraZeneca failed to adequately warn a physician that Seroquel may cause tardive dyskinesia, a federal judge has ruled, finding that the doctor was aware of the risk, when prescribing the anti-depressant as a sleep aid. Patteson v. AstraZeneca LP, No. 10-1760 (D. D.C.).

On July 9, Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejected the plaintiff’s assertion that the doctrine is inapplicable because AstraZeneca overpromoted the drug. The judge found no evidence that the prescribing doctor was swayed by the drug maker’s promotion …