Anyone know a decent UK solicitor. I’m sick of standing by watching this go on with no consequences while the deterioration in my health goes beyond worrying and then seeing more lives being ripped apart - the no win no fee planks aren’t interested. If I got a result id donate the settlement amount towards awareness and research. There’s an incentive to recommend someone !!
Thanks
Hey @LazarusRy
While I haven’t looked into it in the UK, and I understand it is frustrating, I have looked extensively at such an action here in Australia. I think as a community we need to consider how we best approach this strategically so all patients benefit, as successful legal action could have massive benefits in terms of funding future research.
Unfortunately, at this point I’ve been told by multiple class action specialists that we would not have a strong enough case due to the lack of causal connection between drug and symptoms. Any good corporate lawyer, and trust me, Merck has plenty, will just obfuscate the issue as they have in previous cases and in the public domain. It would most likely end up in a stalemate like it was in the US and lead to a poor outcome which also weakens future prospects.
Personally I believe we would be better waiting until we have such research completed, and then we collectively pursue action in multiple jurisdictions. I know it is frustrating for now, but it’s a topic I’ve thought about extensively and at this point, it seems the most sensible option.
Feel free to reach out privately also.
Best,
Mitch
Thanks Mitch, says it all really. What an outfit Merck really are. Our countries are bystanders watching this go on at what human cost.
I don’t know what a legal action would lead to.
Merck settled the Vioxx dispute with 4,85 billion dollars for 27,000 lawsuits.
Less than 180k each.
And we are talking about a drug which KILLED hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
In a long-term strategic outlook, 4.85b is a lot of capital to fund research for this condition.
We already have enough evidence that Finasteride has caused long term alterations via Melcangi’s study that showed non-existent allopregnanolone, we also have the Reuters report which signifies that they intentionally hid side effects away from the consumer. I personally believe the lawyers in that class action threw those men under the bus for a quick payout.
It sure is.
We should get in contact with a whistleblower to understand how we could be more effective.
@Papasmurf I don’t disagree mate. I think there is enough to take them on but also get what Mitch is saying. The America woman who lost her husband probably has a lot of legal work behind her in the ongoing case which would save a lot of duplication/wasted time.
Yes, Mitch is correct that it would help strengthen our cases if we had more medical evidence, I just don’t know if it’s possible when Merck and Co have that type of influence over the industry. Melangi’s early studies were great but have been steadily on a steep decline. I requested internal emails on behalf of the FOIA from the MHRA on any mention of keywords such as post finasteride syndrome to see if they were aware of the existence of the syndrome and what they knew.
My dad just passed away of a heart attack 3 weeks ago
The doctors found severe heart disease
He took Vioxx
Thanks Merck
That’s an interesting one any reply from them yet. They have an 18 day SLA
They replied said they would get back within 20 days it’s now been almost a month. It would be interesting to see if I can get ahold of any crucial evidence
It would mate.
Those don’t show a causal connection between the drug and our symptoms.
I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve spent quite a bit of time looking into this, met with some of the best class-action, no win no fee firms in the country, and at this stage we put any future action at risk by going too early. Not just in our respective regions but globally.
If we want to pursue a class action on a large scale, we need definitive proof that finasteride is the cause of our condition. And when that time comes, we need to do it together.
I get you Mitch, youre quite right and thanks for sharing.
If there was sufficient evidence there would have been a flood of law suits. For some who are desperate and very ill it feels like time isn’t on our side. People becoming seriously ill and losing their lives before the case is proven isn’t unheard of in this industry. Let’s hope all get picked when the day comes. I expect many casualties of VIOX slipped through the net got nothing because once the truth came out it was too late and many will have been unaware. Another pharma tactic!!!
I spoke to oakwood solicitors recently who had published an article
Anyway… I was basically told it was too late for me to pursue a claim as at least 3 years had expired since my initial prescription.
Cheers @Deats01 I’m not sure that stance is water tight because awareness doesn’t necessarily correlate with when I took the last pill. Then youve been hit with a tidal wave and coping is your number one priority. Then there’s the likes of white finger, asbestosis etc where people are claiming years after. I doubt the 3 year rule is as black and white. Another pharma tactic, wind down the clock
