LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 28, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Notice is hereby given that the Law Firm of Cauley Geller Bowman & Coates, LLP has filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on behalf of all persons who were prescribed the drug Cerivastatin, also known as Baycol (Lipobay outside the United States). As alleged in the complaint, Bayer corporation, a unit of Bayer AG (OTCBB:BAYZY), is named as the defendant in this action due to its responsibility in manufacturing, promoting, marketing, distributing and selling Baycol and/or Lipobay.
On Aug. 8, 2001 the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") announced that Bayer withdrew Baycol from all markets in which it distributed Baycol and/or Lipobay, other than Japan. According to the FDA, the recall was announced for a number of reasons, including the fact that more than 480 Baycol users developed rhabdomyolysis after being prescribed the Baycol. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that results in muscle cell breakdown and release of the contents of muscle cells into the bloodstream. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise, fever, dark urine, nausea and vomiting. The pain may involve specific groups of muscles or may be generalized throughout the body. Most frequently the involved muscle groups are the calves and lower back. In some cases the muscle injury is so severe that patients develop renal failure and other organ failure, which can be fatal. Cases of fatal rhabdomyolysis in association with the use of Baycol have been reported significantly more frequently than for other approved statins. The FDA has received reports of 31 U.S. deaths due to severe rhabdomyolysis associated with the use of Baycol. Recent news reports have suggested that more than several hundred people have died from their alleged use of Baycol and/or Lipobay worldwide. According to Bayer, patients who are currently taking Baycol should have their Baycol discontinued and be switched to an alternate therapy.
If you or anyone you know has been prescribed Baycol, you/they may be members of the class described above. Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of class members and is represented by the law firm of Cauley Geller Bowman & Coates, LLP, which has substantial experience and expertise prosecuting complex class action lawsuits such as this. The Firm has offices in Florida, Arkansas and California, but represents clients throughout the nation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice, or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, you are encouraged to call or e-mail the Firm or visit the Firm's Website at www.classlawyer.com.
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca