Nigerians file $2 billion case against Pfizer (AP, via Yahoo)

[marmar]

Nigerians file case against Pfizer
Wed May 30, 12:38 PM ET
KANO, Nigeria - Authorities in northern Nigeria have filed a $2 billion civil case and were preparing criminal charges against the U.S. drug company Pfizer, accusing it of conducting a drug experiment that led to deaths and disabilities in a group of children more than a decade ago, according to court papers.

A notice of intent to file criminal charges, seen Wednesday, was submitted May 9 and the civil case was filed May 17. Officials said the civil suit could open as soon Monday. It was not clear when the criminal case — to be lodged against eight Pfizer officials — would begin, officials said.

The Washington Post reported the criminal charges had been brought, but officials in Kano said Wednesday that prosecutors had taken only a preliminary step in that direction.

New York-based Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, has denied any wrongdoing. A federal court in Manhattan dismissed a 2001 lawsuit by disabled Nigerians who allegedly took part in the study, but the case is under appeal.

In a statement this week, Pfizer said allegations in the Nigeria cases "are simply untrue — they weren't valid when they were first raised years ago and they're not valid today." It also said the Pfizer study was conducted "in a responsible and ethical way consistent with the company's abiding commitment to patient safety."

In the civil suit, authorities in northern Nigeria's Kano state allege Pfizer illegally conducted a drug experiment on 200 children during a meningitis epidemic in the state's main city, also called Kano, in 1996, resulting in deaths, brain damage, paralysis and slurred speech in many of the children. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070530/ap_on_re_af/pfizer_nigeria

[SteppingRazor]

1. If they win, will they send me an e-mail offering to share the $2 billion with me?

:P