Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

A class-action lawsuit on behalf of women who say they developed breast cancer after taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), was certified by the British Columbia Supreme Court this week. The lawsuit alleges the makers of the HRTs Premarin and Premplus failed to warn patients about studies that showed a link between HRT and breast cancer. The lawsuit also claims that the company went to extraordinary measures to sway doctors and downplay any publicized risks associated with the drugs.

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Hundreds of lawsuits alleging that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals’ hormone replacement therapies (HRT) caused breast cancer have been settled in recent months including one in Pennsylvania where a judge upheld a verdict against the drug company, including a $6 million punitive damages award.

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Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has lost its appeal to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 14 consolidated cases alleging that its hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs had caused breast cancer. Trial lawyers say the decision, which makes the discovery rule an issue of fact for the jury, will likely affect the 15,000 HRT cases pending in lower court.

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The evidence weighing the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopausal and postmenopausal women continues to tip toward the same conclusion – that taking HRT is dangerous.

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An herbal remedy for menopause symptoms marketed in Japan failed to show benefits among American women, according to a recent study published in the journal Menopause.

The pill, known as TU-025, combines cinnamon bark, peach pits and several other botanicals, and is regulated as a prescription drug in Japan. It is commonly used by Japanese gynecologists to treat hot flashes in menopausal women. The drug’s maker, Tokyo-based Tsumura & Company, helped fund a study to see if the benefits would also be seen in American women. The consensus was that if it proved beneficial, the herb could offer a safer alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

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A drop in breast cancer rates in Canada in the past 10 years goes hand-in-hand with a decrease in the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), according to a new study.

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A new study suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may decrease the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), even in women who had known risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and high cholesterol. However, researchers are not suggesting women use HRT to prevent the condition as the drug has also been linked to cancer, strokes and other cardiovascular risks.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Pfizer over its hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Prempro, which means the pharmaceutical company will have to pay three Nevada women nearly $58 million. Pfizer claimed that plaintiffs attorneys biased the jury during closing arguments, which led to the jury awarding $134.1 to the three women. That award was later reduced to $57.6 million.

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How important is it for a post-menopausal woman to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? Audience member Rosemarie posed the question to Dr. Oz, the popular television doctor. Rosemarie says she became post-menopausal three years ago and she has never taken HRT.

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“I am writing this letter only after a tremendous amount of contemplation and reflection,” writes Carl Whatley, Jr., Professional Territory Manager with Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. “I have been struggling with and agonizing over this for months, and I feel I must bring it to your attention.”

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