Vermont Receives $2 Million in Pfizer Settlement

VERMONT — The Barre Montpelier Times Argus carries this story regarding the multistate settlement with Pfizer: Vermont gets $2 million in lawsuit.

According to the report...

"According to the state's complaint, Pfizer's painkiller Bextra had FDA approval for use in treating arthritis and menstrual pain, but Pfizer marketed it for use treating acute pain, pain associated with surgery and for reducing use of narcotic painkillers. The state referred to these as "off-label" uses.

The FDA pulled Bextra from the market in 2005 due to concerns it increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Published reports from the last week show Pfizer also paying $745 million to settle personal injury claims and $89 million for consumer fraud class-action lawsuits, all dealing with Bextra or Celebrex."

Pfizer did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement. For more information, click on this link: Vermont's share of Pfizer Settlement.