SAN FRANCISCO – The makers of Viagra are facing a suit from an Illinois man who alleges the drug caused melanoma.
John Reinwald filed a complaint on April 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Pfizer Inc. citing alleged breach of implied warranty, breach of warranty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in 2009 and 2010, he was diagnosed with malignant melanoma when a biopsy was conducted on right arm and left helix. He alleges this was caused by his continued use of Viagra. The plaintiff holds Pfizer Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly knew about the harmful effects of Viagra when it tested sildenafil on rats. Despite knowing the harmful effects of the drug, the defendant allegedly chose to distribute it without providing any warnings or precautions on the drug's label.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks all damages to be determined in trial, all legal fees and any other relief as this court deems just. He is represented by Rachel B. Abrams and Meghan McCormick of Levin Simes LLP in San Francisco and Ernest Cory, Kristian W. Rasmussen and Lauren S. Miller of Cory Watson PC in Birmingham, Alabama.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Case number 3:16-cv-01685-JD