Excerpted from DrugStoreNews.com, Wednesday, 20 November 2002.

Jury Awards $4.1M To Plaintiffs In Metabolife Case

Birmingham, Ala. -- A U.S. Federal Court jury here on Tuesday awarded $4.1 million to four people who suffered strokes and cardiac injuries as a result of taking dietary supplements containing ephedra that were sold by Metabolife.

Metabolife’s lead counsel, Lanny Davis, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Tuesday’s jury decision was "shocking." Metabolife stated it will appeal the decision.

The development will likely trigger a wave of similar lawsuits in Metabolife’s home state of California, said attorney Michael Hackard. Hackard’s law firm, Hackard & Holt, is currently pursuing those potential suits in California.

Responding to the verdict, Metabolife issued a statement that read: "The undisputed evidence presented to the jury showed that every single plaintiff conceded that they did not read, much less follow, instructions and warnings on the Metabolife label, including the need to consult a health care practitioner. For over 10 years, every human clinical study conducted by respected scientists has shown that these products are safe and effective when taken as directed on the Metabolife label. We intend to appeal and are confident that the verdict will be reversed."

Excerpted from DrugStoreNews.com, Wednesday, 20 November 2002.