Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: Robert Blanchard
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Ortho Evra Legal News

An AP news wire last week announced that a former executive with Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ortho-McNeil is suing the company over his firing. The ex-VP for the company claims he repeatedly sought recalls for defective drugs, including the Ortho Evra birth control patch.

The story explains the case:

New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson, one of the world's biggest drug and medical product makers, said Friday the ex-executive was fired for inappropriate conduct. In his civil complaint, Dr. Joel S. Lippman alleges he was unlawfully terminated on May 15, after working for Johnson & Johnson for 15 years, because he repeatedly complained about product safety problems and urged several be recalled or not launched. Lippman declined to be interviewed.

The article further details Dr. Lippman's specific concerns about Ortho Evra:

The lawsuit alleges Lippman's problems with his employer began when he complained about inadequate safety data on a hormonal menopausal product called Ortho-Prefest and about serious health concerns over the Ortho Evra patch, "which released dangerously high levels of estrogen into patients."

This September, the Food and Drug Administration required J&J to add a warning to the Ortho Evra package insert stating the risk of dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs may be higher for women on the patch instead of birth-control pills.