Published:
October 14, 2024
- Defective Products
GSK Agrees to Pay $2.2B in Zantac Lawsuit Settlement Resolving 93% of State Court Cases
GSK settles to avoid further litigation, maintains no admission of wrongdoing
October 14, 2024
GSK settles to avoid further litigation, maintains no admission of wrongdoing
In a landmark settlement, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle approximately 80,000 Zantac lawsuits.
The lawsuits allege that Zantac, a popular heartburn drug, contained a probable carcinogen called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), putting consumers at risk for several types of cancer.
The settlement is significant in the ongoing litigation surrounding Zantac and ranitidine-based products.
At the heart of the Zantac lawsuits is the connection between ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac, and the formation of NDMA.
Research has shown that ranitidine can break down over time or when exposed to high temperatures, leading to the creation of NDMA, a substance classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
Studies have linked NDMA exposure to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including:
Plaintiffs in the Zantac lawsuits allege that long-term use of the medication led to the development of these and other cancers.
They argue that GSK and other manufacturers failed to test their products properly, ignored warning signs, and did not provide adequate warnings to consumers and healthcare providers.
The Zantac lawsuits have been a major legal battleground since 2019 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the potential presence of NDMA in ranitidine medications.
Since then, Zantac litigation has been building for several years, with key events including:
The settlement comes after extensive litigation, including consolidated proceedings in federal and state courts. The resolution of these cases marks a significant milestone for plaintiffs seeking compensation for their injuries.
Under the settlement terms, GSK will pay up to $2.2 billion to resolve approximately 80,000 Zantac lawsuits pending in U.S. state courts.
The courts will structure the settlement to allow GSK to spread out the payments over several years, reducing the immediate financial impact on the company.
The settlement resolves about 93% of the state court cases currently pending against GSK but does not cover all Zantac lawsuits. Some federal cases and claims against other manufacturers remain ongoing. GSK has also agreed to pay an additional $70 million to settle a related whistleblower lawsuit filed by a Connecticut laboratory.
The manufacturer maintains that there is "no consistent or reliable evidence" that Zantac increases the risk of cancer and affirms it based its decision to settle on a desire to "avoid further litigation costs and uncertainty," allowing the company to focus on the long-term interest of the company.
While the GSK settlement is a significant development, it does not mark the end of the Zantac litigation.
Other manufacturers, such as Pfizer, Sanofi, and Boehringer Ingelheim, also face lawsuits alleging that their ranitidine products caused cancer.
Some of these companies have already reached settlements, while others continue to defend against the claims in court.
In addition to the state court cases covered by the GSK settlement, thousands of federal Zantac lawsuits are still pending in the MDL. These cases are progressing through the legal system, with bellwether trials scheduled to begin in the coming months.
Early trial outcomes will help shape the future of the litigation and may influence potential settlements by other manufacturers.
Join our newsletter to stay up to date on cases and settlements.
Add Comment