STAT+: A drug maker sues a medical journal, its editor, and several authors for libel
In an unusual move, Pacira Biosciences (PCRX) has filed a libel lawsuit against a medical journal, its editors, and the authors of several recently published papers, arguing the articles were based on “faulty scientific research” and as a result, its only medicine was portrayed as ineffective.
The drug maker alleged the papers published this past February in Anesthesiology reflected a “bias” against its Exparel painkiller and “disparaged” the drug, which is used after surgeries. Consequently, customers have either canceled contracts, declined to purchase the drug, which is not an opioid, or are considering removing it from hospital formularies, according to the lawsuit.
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