Federal Bextra, Celebrex Plaintiffs Can Pursue False Advertising Claims

SAN FRANCISCO - Consumer plaintiffs need not have been aware of defendants' allegedly false advertising claims in order to have been actually damaged by those claims, the judge overseeing the federal Bextra and Celebrex MDL has ruled in denying Pfizer Inc.'s motion to dismiss consumer protection law causes of action for failure to state a claim. In Re: Bextra and Celebrex Marketing, Sales Practices and Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1699 (N.D. Calif.).

Judge Charles R. Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California also ruled July 10 that plaintiffs can pursue claims against Pfizer for …