Breast cancer suit reaches settlement

A class-action lawsuit that alleged links between a hormone replacement therapy drug and breast cancer involving up to 132 women in B.C. is expected to reach a settlement in the B.C. Supreme Court early next year.

Douglas Lennox, a class-action lawyer at Klein Lyons, said on Tuesday the case involving the drugs Premarin and Premplus used to relieve symptoms of menopause has been tentatively settled, and the defendant company Wyeth has agreed to pay $13.65 million to a potential 1,120 claimants across the country.

The case was initially scheduled for trial on Oct. 14, but a tentative settlement was made just three days prior to that, Lennox said.

The court has to review it and decide whether to thumbs up or thumbs down if the court doesnt like (the tentative deal), well have to reschedule a trial, he said.

Over 1,000 people signed up for the case and the only chance to review the documents, once theyre finalized, they can vote yes or no.

According to the initial statement of claim, the case began after a study by U.S. health officials found increased risks of heart disease, strokes, blood cots, and breast cancer attributed to the hormone therapy.

Less than a year after, in January 2003, the company issued a boxed warning that included additional cautions, and that the therapies should be prescribed for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals.

A statement from Pfizer Canada, parent company of Wyeth, confirmed the tentative settlement.

The company does not admit to any liability or wrongdoing as part of this agreement, it said.

Hormone therapy medicines are an important treatment option ... It is widely accepted that science cannot determine what caused or contributed to any individual womans breast cancer except in rare circumstances where genetics plays a role.

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Breast cancer suit reaches settlement