Medarticle.p65

Summary Judgment Granted
he relies to support his opinion that Zoloftcauses suicide, do not support his conclusion.” In Zoloft Suicide Case
For Lack Of Causation
“Based upon relevant case law, the Court doesnot believe that Dr. Johnstone can jump fromarticles, that he testified are only suggestive TUCSON, Ariz. — An Arizona federal judge of a link between Zoloft and suicide, to a re- liable conclusion that Zoloft causes suicide,” Zoloft suicide case for lack of expert testimony Judge Browning wrote. “Regarding specific on general or specific causation (Laura Cloud, causation, Dr. Johnstone’s conclusions are not et al. v. Pfizer Inc., No. 99-627, D. Ariz.).
supported by the medical literature or anyadmissible evidence. As a result, Dr.
(Order available. Document #28-020124-014R.)
Johnstone’s testimony regarding both gener-al and specific causation is excluded as it is Darrian Baskins was prescribed Pfizer Inc.’s unreliable and, as a result, would likely mis- Zoloft brand sertraline hydrochloride in 1996 for treatment of depression. In 1997, whilestill taking the antidepressant, he committed Judge Browning said he does not believe the materials cited by Johnstone support his opin-ion that Zoloft causes suicide.
Medical History
“In particular,” he wrote, “the Court finds that Baskins’ medical history showed that he coun- his reliance upon medical articles which he seled with his pastor and a therapist, was disavowed as providing evidence of general having marital problems, drank and smoked causation particularly disturbing and, in truth, marijuana. There was deposition testimony the antithesis of a scientific method.
that while taking Zoloft, Baskins craved al-cohol, paced, was extremely restless, had dif- “In addition, as Dr. Johnstone has testified, ficulty sleeping and complained that his skin case reports are not a recognized method of proving causation,” Judge Browning contin-ued. “Finally, the lack of significant epide- The medical record also showed that Baskins miological studies also undermines the reli- ability of Dr. Johnstone’s testimony regard- Baskin’s widow, Laura Cloud, sued Pfizer for Other Causes Unexplored
alleged failure to warn or provide proper in-structions on the potential side effect of suicide.
As to Johnstone’s opinion on specific causa-tion, Judge Browning said he issued his “psy- A motion by Pfizer for summary judgment on chological autopsy” opinion before seeing the basis of preemption by the Food, Drug and Baskins’ medical records, didn’t see all the Cosmetic Act was denied in February 2001.
FDA material on Zoloft, didn’t explore other Pfizer then moved to exclude the testimony causes of Baskins’ suicide, relied on medical of Cloud’s expert witness on causation, Dr.
articles that had analytical and scientific gaps Edwin E. Johnstone, and for summary judg- and produced no reports about an interac- ment on causation and punitive damages.
tion between Zoloft and alcohol and over-the-counter stimulants.
Testimony Unreliable
Gerald S. Maltz of Haralson, Miller, Pitt & Senior Judge William D. Browning of the U.S.
District Court for the District of Arizona on Richard W. Ewing and Paul F. Waldner III of Nov. 21 found that Cloud “failed to show that Vickery & Waldner in Houston represent Cloud.
Dr. Johnstone’s methodology and, therefore, John D. Everroad of Fennemore Craig in Phoe- his testimony are reliable. Even assuming he is qualified to speak about general causation, Hooper and Amy L. Padden of Wheeler, Trigg the medical and scientific articles, upon which & Kennedy in Denver represent Pfizer. ■ Copyright 2002 Mealey Publications, King of Prussia, PA • www.mealeys.com

Source: http://www.fclaw.com/news/materials/zoloftarticle.pdf