Pfizer and Kano State/Nigeria reach settlement of Trovan cases

Pfizer Inc today announced it has reached agreement with the Kano State government in Nigeria to settle Kano State's claims arising from the 1996 Trovan (trovafloxacin )clinical study, which was conducted during Nigeria's worst meningitis epidemic in history. Under the terms of the settlement, Kano State will dismiss both the civil and criminal Trovan-related cases it filed against the company and various individuals, and Pfizer specifically denies any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the 1996 study. The company has said all along that the 1996 study was conducted with the approval of the Nigerian government and the consent of the participants' parents or guardians, and was consistent with Nigerian laws.
Under the terms of the settlement with Kano State, Pfizer has agreed to:

The Healthcare/Meningitis Fund will be available to all individuals who meet the qualification criteria necessary to verify their participation in the 1996 Trovan clinical study. The Fund will be administered by an independent six-member Board of Trustees, with three members each chosen by Pfizer and the Kano State government. The Board will make the final determinations on eligibility and levels of financial support. The maximum amount that could be disbursed by the Fund is $35 million, but the final amount will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted.