CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County woman is suing the makers of an osteoporosis drug for allegedly bringing the medication to market despite warnings it could cause broken bones and other serious side effects.
Elsie June Holstein filed a lawsuit April 18 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the following defendants: Allergan Inc., Allergan PLC, Allergan USA Inc., Aventis Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Inc., Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, Sanofi U.S. Services Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Warner Chilcott PLC, Warner Chilcott (U.S.) LLC, and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Inc.
According to the complaint, although Holstein took the drug Actonel to prevent osteoporosis, which can cause bone fractures, she in fact suffered a broken femur after ingesting the drug on a regular basis. The suit also claims the plaintiff is at increased risk for bone deterioration of the jaw, a potential side effect the manufacturers have allegedly suppressed from the public.
Holstein seeks a jury trial, punitive and compensatory damages, interest and litigation costs. She is represented by attorneys Scott S. Segal and C. Edward Amos II of The Segal Law Firm in Charleston.
Judge Louis H. “Duke” Bloom is assigned to the case.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-C-589