Insight

The Third Strike in the Zantac Lawsuit

The Third Strike in the Zantac Lawsuit

Roy D. Oppenheim

Roy D. Oppenheim

April 17, 2020 01:07 PM

The Third Strike in the Zantac Lawsuit

In the midst of one of the biggest pandemics in the past 100 years, another health crisis has reached new developments marking an important step in this battle for justice and consumer safety. Various manufacturers including Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim are being accused of manufacturing Zantac, a medication used to deal with acid reflux, with a carcinogenic contaminant that is known to cause specific types of cancer. NDMA, the carcinogen in question that is also a component in rocket fuel and lubricants, can cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, gastric cancer or colorectal cancer.

What happened?

In fall of 2019, a controversial study made by Valisure, an independent pharmacy, showed that ranitidine, which is found in Zantac, contained NDMA at levels equal to 30,000 times the safe amount as prescribed by the FDA. By early 2020, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS removed Zantac from their shelves while four other manufacturers initiated voluntary recalls. Shortly after, Emery Pharma successfully proved the link between heat and the presence of NDMA, indicating that Zantac’s third strike had arrived.

Why bother now?

Zantac is used by millions of Americans every year, therefore the amount of people that may be exposed to this threat is substantial and knowing who is safe or not is challenging. It turns out that ranitidine itself does not have NDMA, so the issue does not lie in its production, but rather in its distribution and sale. Zantac and other ranitidine products are safe when they leave the hands of manufacturers, yet when these products sit in delivery trucks and warehouses at high temperatures for long periods of time NDMA begins to form. Zantac has never had any warnings to indicate sellers or consumers to store these ranitidine containing products in appropriate ways, thus making it hard to know which consumers have not been exposed to this carcinogen. This concern was first outlined in Emery Pharma’s citizen petition. The petition, submitted to the FDA on January 2nd, 2020, had 8 requests including a recall and suspension “of all lots of all products containing ranitidine” as well as asking the FDA to issue a directive to ensure that manufacturers put warning labels on ranitidine products and that ranitidine products are shipped via cold chain, a temperature controlled supply chain.

On April 1st, the FDA responded to the citizen petition, acknowledging Emery Pharma’s findings and partially granting their petition. On the same day, the FDA requested that “manufacturers withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine drugs from the market immediately”. The FDA argues that since the quality of this product cannot be assured for the reasons mentioned above, the product will be withdrawn from the market and made unavailable for “new or existing prescriptions or OTC use in the U.S.”

Can I get compensation?

The NDMA found in Zantac has been linked to the development of the following cancers:

  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Gastric
  • Colorectal
  • Stomach
  • Prostate
  • Throat
  • Esophageal
  • Nasal
  • Kidney (Renal Cell)
  • Pancreatic
  • Lung
  • Testicular
  • And others

If you or a loved one has been consuming Zantac and has developed any of the mentioned cancers, then you should consider joining or filing a lawsuit to receive compensation. In order to qualify for compensation, you must be able to prove the use of Zantac and be diagnosed with at least one of the cancers listed above. Both can be proven using medical records. Additionally, a cause and effect must be provable between the regular basis, long term, use of Zantac and cancer. Other cancer-causing activities such as smoking may hinder this link.

However, if you feel as if you may qualify or want to inquire if you can receive compensation please reach out at 954-280-9102 so we can inform you of your legal rights.

Our team at Oppenheim Law recognizes the emotional burden these illnesses can have on families. That’s why our firm is committed to representing our clients, providing the best team of professionals to represent them.

From the trenches,

Roy Oppenheim


Oppenheim Law
2500 Weston Rd #404
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33331
954-384-6114
https://www.oppenheimlaw.com

Originally posted at Oppenheim Law: https://www.oppenheimlaw.com/the-third-strike-in-the-zantac-lawsuit/

Trending Articles

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: Celebrating Legal Excellence


by Jennifer Verta

Presenting the 19th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and the 4th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Digital map of Canadathis on illuminated by numerous bright lights

Legal Distinction on Display: 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™


by Best Lawyers

The industry’s best lawyers and firms working in France are revealed in the newly released, comprehensive the 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™.

French flag in front of country's outline

Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico


by Jennifer Verta

Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.

Flags of Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, representing countries featured in the Best Lawyers

Announcing the 13th Edition of Best Lawyers Rankings in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the newest edition of legal rankings in the United Kingdom, marking the 13th consecutive edition of awards in the country.

British flag in front of country's outline

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa


by Jennifer Verta

Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.

Flags of Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, representing Best Lawyers countries

Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform


by Jennifer Verta

Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.

Illustrated Hands Breaking Chains Against a Bright Red Background

Announcing the 16th Edition of the Best Lawyers in Germany Rankings


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™, featuring a unique set of rankings that highlights Germany's top legal talent.

German flag in front of country's outline

Celebrating Excellence in Law: 11th Edition of Best Lawyers in Italy™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Italy™, which features an elite list of awards showcasing Italy's current legal talent.

Italian flag in front of country's outline

Tampa Appeals Court ‘Sends Clear Message,” Ensuring School Tax Referendum Stays on Ballot


by Gregory Sirico

Hillsborough County's tax referendum is back on the 2024 ballot, promising $177 million for schools and empowering residents to decide the future of education.

Graduation cap in air surrounded by pencils and money

Find the Best Lawyers for Your Needs


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

Key Developments and Trends in U.S. Commercial Litigation


by Justin Smulison

Whether it's multibillion-dollar water cleanliness verdicts or college athletes vying for the right to compensation, the state of litigation remains strong.

Basketball sits in front of stacks of money

Woman on a Mission


by Rebecca Blackwell

Baker Botts partner and intellectual property chair Christa Brown-Sanford discusses how she juggles work, personal life, being a mentor and leadership duties.

Woman in green dress crossing her arms and posing for headshot

Best Lawyers Celebrates Women in the Law: Ninth Edition


by Alliccia Odeyemi

Released in both print and digital form, Best Lawyers Ninth Edition of Women in the Law features stories of inspiring leadership and timely legal issues.

Lawyer in green dress stands with hands on table and cityscape in background

The Human Cost


by Justin Smulison

2 new EU laws aim to reshape global business by enforcing ethical supply chains, focusing on human rights and sustainability

Worker wearing hat stands in field carrying equipemtn

Beyond the Billables


by Michele M. Jochner

In a recently conducted, comprehensive study, data reveals a plethora of hidden realities that parents working full-time in the legal industry face every day.

Women in business attire pushing stroller takes a phone call