Medtronic Sued by 1,000 Infuse Patients (MedPageToday)
Medtronic said about 1,000 people have sued the company over its bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) product, Infuse, and that many more lawsuits may be coming.
In addition, several states now are looking into sales and marketing practices involving Infuse, which is used in spine surgery.
In a statement, company spokesperson Cindy Resman said the cases are in early procedural stages, and none have resulted in a finding of liability against Medtronic.
Some court rulings have led to dismissals and others have limited claims.
"Medtronic stands behind Infuse bone graft and will vigorously defend it in court," she said.
Richard Deyo, MD, a professor of family medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, who has done research into the use of Infuse in spine surgeries, said the lawsuits reminded him of other touted medical products that came on the market only later to be found to be harmful to patients -- products like Merck's COX-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib (Vioxx) and Johnson and Johnson's DePuy Synthes artificial hip.
With Infuse, some of the cases may be attorneys drumming up business, but some represent patients who were harm...
