Brown & Crouppen is one of mid-America’s largest personal injury litigation firms. For over a quarter of a century, we have been building our reputation for legal success by helping thousands of clients win millions of dollars. Today our team of over 70 legal professionals serves clients from five Missouri locations. One of our fastest growing practice areas is dangerous drug litigation. We have represented clients who have been injured and families who have lost a loved one due to dangerous drugs, prescription error, manufacturing negligence and unlawful marketing practices. We have successfully tackled the prescription drug giants who make Rezulin™, Fen-Phen™, Lotronex™, OxyContin™, Zyprexa™, and Prempro™.

One of the most flagrant examples of unscrupulous and dangerous behavior is the May 13, 2004 announcement that Pfizer, Inc. has plead guilty to criminal charges involving the illegal and fraudulent promotion of their epilepsy drug Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin).

If you were prescribed Neurontin, or its generic form gabapentin, for a medical condition other than epilepsy, you may be eligible for damages. Ron Brown, Terry Crouppen and their legal team has the experience, resources and commitment to deliver the best possible service to our personal injury clients and make a real difference in their lives.

Whomever the client, whatever the case, the Brown & Crouppen team provides the attentive, professional care and uncompromising dedication necessary to protect each client’s rights.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Neurontin for sale in 1993 as a supplemental treatment for epileptic seizures. Subsequently, the drug’s manufacturer, Parke-Davis, was acquired by Pfizer in 2000. How did a drug that the FDA approved only as a supplementary treatment for a specific type of seizure, have sales soar from $97.5 million in 1995 to $2.7 billion in 2003?

• By adopting a strategy that promoted Neurontin’s effectiveness for unapproved uses including pain relief, migraines, bipolar disorder and drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

• By falsifying medical information to market and promote Neurontin to physicians for “off-label” uses.

• By providing physician incentives including trips, hefty “consulting” fees, and 1996 Summer Olympic games tickets.

These disturbing facts were part of the evidence against Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical company. The pharmaceutical giant has agreed to plead guilty to violating the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act and will pay an estimated $400 million in fines in one of the largest Medicaid-fraud settlements.

The morality and legal issues aside, it is even more disturbing to consider the untold damage suffered by those who took the medication as prescribed by their doctors to treat ailments including:

• Bipolar Disorder

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

• Treatment of Epilepsy alone (montherapy)

• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Post-Hepatic Neuralgia (PHN)

• Migraine

• Lou Gehrig’s Disease

• Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures

There is no doubt of the drug maker’s guilt. Even as they were implementing their fraudulent scheme; they had scientific evidence that proved Neurontin was not effective in treating any illness except its’ approved use by the FDA. By lying to physicians and incentivizing corrupt ones, patient’s lives were put at risk. Innocent people continued to suffer pain, illness and the loss of hope. The news just keeps getting worse – the drug is now thought to cause suicidal behavior. Countless lives have been damaged or destroyed and state Medicaid programs were harmed, while Pfizer and its subsidiaries reaped the benefits of their deceit and illegal marketing tactics.

The time has come to respond to Pfizer’s greed and disregard for the safety of others. If you or a family member is taking (or have taken) Neurontin, contact your physician to discuss the situation. And call the attorneys at Brown & Crouppen to discuss the viability of your case. You may be entitled to file a legal claim against the drug maker for negligence in product labeling and marketing. Brown & Crouppen has represented many victims of defective drugs. As our client, you will be backed by a team of legal professionals, medical experts and investigators who are committed to protecting your rights. Please contact us today for your free initial consultation and find out why Brown & Crouppen clients believe that “bigger is better”.

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