BENZODIAZEPINE LITIGATION

Prior to the key service deadline of August 1, 1992, an estimated 5,000 or more claims have been served against Roche, Wyeth and Upjohn over the manufacture of benzodiazepine drugs, says an article in The Lancet (January 23).

These claims are principally targeted towards Wyeth's Ativan (lorazepam), with over 3,000 claims, and Roche's Valium (diazepam), with around 1,900. The bulk of the claims are being fought with the help of legal aid. However, earlier this month legal aid was frozen with respect to claims against Valium, and, effectively therefore, Roche's other products - Mogadon (nitrazepam) and Librium (chlordiazepoxide). Claimants have a right to appeal against the withdrawal, but their prospects of success are thought to be minimal.

The other cases involving Ativan and Halcion (triazolam) are also under review, and the legal aid board is to decide in the next few weeks whether these cases should continue to be financed. Patients who are financing the cases privately will be forced to step down as the cost per head will increase substantially if the claimants lose.