US Court frees Pfizer of birth defect allegations related to drug Zoloft

Pfizer is finally free of its court room tussle for the alleged birth defects linked to its anti depressant Zoloft. A federal Judge’s decision to dismiss the vast majority of claims linked to Zoloft and heart problems in infants has freed the company of the burden.

US District Judge Cynthia Rufe in Philadelphia dismissed more than 300 suits against Pfizer without a trial,leaving one case pending in court according to .

The claim faced by the company being that its anti depressants cause congenital defects in babies after their mothers take the medicine and that no adequate warning was given by the company warning patients about potential risks. The company maintains that it kept the FDA and the public aware of the safety issues connected to Zoloft and that there was no evidence related to the drug leading to birth defects.

Further justifying safety of Zoloft the company in its Fierce Pharma statement added "There is extensive science supporting the safety and efficacy of Zoloft, and the medicine carries accurate, science-based and FDA-approved information on its benefits and risks."

This win comes close at heels of two others in St. Louis and Philadelphia over Zoloft related claims .

Despite court dismissals regulators are taking note of potential safety problems with Zoloft. In September, FDA asked Pfizer to change the label of the drug to heed warnings of the researchers, who felt that the intake of Zoloft by mothers was resulting in birth defects.