Pfizer Challenging Celebrex Plaintiffs' Theories on Causation

SAN FRANCISCO - Argument was expected to begin Oct. 9 on a motion filed by Pfizer Inc. to exclude general and specific evidence that Celebrex caused the injuries alleged by thousands of plaintiffs in the federal MDL. In Re: Bextra and Celebrex Marketing, Sales Practices and Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1699 (N.D. Calif.).

Judge Charles R. Breyer scheduled a three-day hearing to ultimately determine whether plaintiffs' expert testimony indicating that daily Celebrex use at recommended doses causes heart attacks and strokes passes muster under Daubert.

According to Pfizer, any opinion that 200 milligrams and 400 milligram daily use of …