Federal Judge Says SmithKline Sales Reps Not Fraudulently Joined in Asthma Drugs Lawsuit

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A federal judge remanded an Alabama man's asthma drug lawsuit against SmithKline Beecham Corp. on Sept. 7, saying the company's sales representatives were not fraudulently joined. Faulk v. SmithKline Beecham Corp., et a. No. 2:05-cv-00085 (M.D. Ala.). [See Related Stories in Columns-Drugs & Supplements, May 2005, June 2005]

Earl L. Faulk, as executor of his son Marcus Faulk's estate, sued GlaxoSmithKline PLC, SmithKline Beecham (d/b/a GSK), several sales representatives and 'Fictitious Defendants' in the Circuit Court of Barbour County, Ala., in December 2004. Faulk alleges that Marcus' January 2003 death resulted from a reaction to the company's …