Abbott Laboratories Ordered to Release Depakote Documents
A December 2013 court order demanding that manufacturer Abbott Laboratories provide “long overdue” documents for Depakote is being viewed as a success for plaintiffs.
The court order, made in the US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, ordered Abbott to turn over about 4,000 copies of documents relating to Depakote and birth defects “as soon as possible,” and to “exercise all avenues available.” The documents were originally supposed to be produced in April 2013.
Were you taking Depakote during pregnancy?
Depacon, Depakote, Depakote CP, Depakote ER, Depakene or Stavzor have been linked to cognitive problems (such as decreased IQ scores, autism and Asperger’s syndrome) and physical birth defects (such as spina bifida, atrial septal defect, cleft palate, hypospadias, extra fingers or toes, and craniosynostosis) in babies exposed to valproate products during pregnancy.
In a safety communication dated 05/06/13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised health care professionals and women that the anti-seizure medication valproate sodium and related products are contraindicated and should not be taken by pregnant women for the prevention of migraine headaches. The FDA also raised the pregnancy category for valproate medicines used to prevent migraine headaches from category “D” (meaning that the potential benefit of the drug in pregnant women may be acceptable despite its potential risks) to “X” (the risk of use in pregnant women clearly outweighs any possible benefit of the drug).
If you used Depakote or a related drug during pregnancy and your child developed one of the cognitive problems or physical birth defects listed above, contact the Depakote attorneys of ZKB Law. You can call the firm toll free at (888) 841-9623 or submit a free case evaluation form found on our website.
Zoll & Kranz, LLC – Multidistrict Litigation Attorneys
Source: http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2013-12-13-Abbott-Order.pdf