Texas Suit Claiming Dependence on Laxatives Moves to Federal Court

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Novartis Consumer Health Inc. has removed to federal court a Texas lawsuit seeking unspecified damages for a plaintiff's alleged 28-year dependence on laxatives. Alvarado v. Schering-Plough Corp., et al. (S.D. Texas).

Novartis and Schering-Plough Corp. are the pharmaceutical company defendants sued by David Alvarado in Texas state court in July. Alvarado complains that he has been dependant on over-the-counter laxative products, particularly Novartis' Ex-Lax and Schering-Plough's Feen-A-Mint, both of which contain phenolphthalein as an active ingredient.

Alvarado says that '[a]lthough he began using the laxatives as directed, he now requires frequent large doses.'

Alvarado alleges …