Louisiana Judge Dismisses Claims Against Generic Paxil Maker

NEW ORLEANS - A Louisiana federal judge has dismissed wrongful death claims brought against the maker of generic Paxil, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to establish medical causation. Smith v. GlaxoSmithKline, et al., No. 05-2728 (E.D. La.).

On Nov. 17, Judge Jay C. Zainey of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana granted Apotex Corp.'s motion to dismiss the claims.

Brian Smith, Sr, 38, was prescribed GlaxoSmithKline's Paxil to treat his depression. Soon thereafter, he began taking Apotex's generic version of Paxil, paroxetine hydrochloride. On June 17, 2004, Smith filled a prescription for 30 tablets at the …