Louisiana high court reverses $258 million verdict against J&J regarding Risperdal

Amid the icy sleet of a Southern winter storm, the Louisiana Supreme Court socked the state with the reversal of a $258 million jury verdict.

The court ruled that state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell failed to prove a cause of action against pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. in the marketing of an antipsychotic drug called Risperdal. The state claimed the companies downplayed the drug’s health risks to gain market advantage for the drug, which treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

Caldwell said Wednesday that he will study the decision before determining whether to file an application for the full court to rehear the issue.

Janssen issued a statement expressing gratification at the court’s ruling. “We are pleased that the Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled in our favor. Since this lawsuit was filed against us, we have maintained that we did not violate Louisiana’s Medical Assistance Programs Integrity Law,” the company said.

More at http://theadvocate.com/home/8235773-125/la-high-court-reverses-258 .