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news.A jury has found that Wyeth's hormone replacement drug Prempro caused a woman's breast cancer and have awarded her with $1.5 million worth of damages.
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The jury decided that Wyeth failed to adequately warn the patient of the risks involved with the treatment. They also found that Wyeth acted with malice or reckless disregard. This judgment has triggered a hearing that will look into possible punitive damages.
In July 2002, a study found higher rates of breast cancer and heart problems in women who took estrogen-progestin pills like Prempro. The lawyer for the woman argued that Wyeth already knew of these side effects but deliberately failed to conduct studies to assess the risk to patients.
Wyeth's lawyer suggested that the breast cancer was caused by other risk factors, including the density of the woman's breasts and a family history of cancer. Wyeth denies any malice relating to Prempro.
Wyeth is still facing around 5,000 lawsuits involving its hormone replacement drugs.