Calif. Judge Dismisses Bextra, Celebrex Claims for Failure to Prosecute

SAN FRANCISCO - Plaintiffs' failure to comply with discovery obligations overrides the public policy favoring disposition on the merits, the judge overseeing the federal Bextra/Celebrex MDL has ruled in dismissing with prejudice the claims of several plaintiffs. In Re: Bextra and Celebrex Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1699 (N.D. Calif.).

In a May 18 order granting a joint motion by Pfizer Inc. and other defendants to dismiss 16 plaintiffs for failing to comply with Pretrial Order No. 6, Judge Charles R. Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said the cases …