Local woman sues drug maker after adverse reaction to arthritis med

A Jefferson County couple has filed suit against Centocor, alleging the woman experienced an adverse reaction after taking one of its medicines to treat her rheumatoid arthritis.

Muriel Janet and Robert Jackson claim Muriel's physician prescribed her Remicade.

Muriel's first Remicade infusion was on Sept. 14, 2006, her second was on Sept. 28, 2006, and her third was on Nov. 30, 2006, according to the complaint filed Nov. 26 in Jefferson County District Court.

She could not continue the infusions, even though she was supposed to, because she experienced an adverse reaction to the Remicade, the suit states.

"The Remicade treatment regimen received by Ms. Jackson was the proximate cause of the serious and permanent injuries and damages suffered by Plaintiffs," the suit states.

Centocor was negligent because Remicade was defective and unreasonably dangerous, the Jacksons claim.

The company also negligently did not provide Muriel with sufficient information to allow her to make an informed decision on the Remicade treatment, according to the complaint.

Instead, Muriel relied on Centocor's "inadequate and improper warnings, to her detriment," the suit states.

Because of the Remicade infusions she received, Muriel suffered physical pain and mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of physical capacity, including her loss of enjoyment of life and loss of earnings and earning capacity, she claims.

Robert suffered loss of consortium and loss of services in the home, according to the complaint.

The Jacksons are seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, costs, attorney's fees, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief to which they may be entitled.

They are represented by Michael R. McGown of Benckenstein, Norvell and Nathan in Beaumont.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield of the 136th District Court.

Case No. D182-772