Family Says Manufacturers Failed to Warn of 'Lethal' Drug Combination

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Two arthritis drug manufacturers failed to warn patients and doctors of the potential dangers of using Arava and Remicade in combination, a woman's family alleges in a wrongful death lawsuit. McDermott v. Centocor Research and Development Inc., et al., No. 07-586 (E.D. Calif.).

California resident Nelvin McDermott sued Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Centocor Research and Development Inc. in state court on behalf of himself and his three minor children, claiming that his wife, Khai McDermott, became progressively ill after beginning treatment with Arava and Remicade until she died prematurely on June 24, 2005.

On March 27, Aventis, …