Last year, a group of problem gamblers launched a class-action lawsuit against Pfizer, claiming that one of the company’s drugs caused them to develop unhealthy spending habits. Now, they eagerly await a decision from Victoria's Federal Court. The claimants involved in the lawsuit were prescribed drugs called Cabaser and Dostinex between 1996 and 2010.
Both drugs were used to treat tremors caused by Parkinson's disease or restless legs syndrome between. While the medication helped the patients better control their movements, they also claim that it caused them to develop addictive behaviour. Some claimants state that they gambled away their life savings – despite never suffering from gambling addiction prior to taking the drugs.
Judge Jennifer Davies heard both sides of the case, but has delayed her decision to potentially award a settlement. She states that the claimants’ entitlements were not independently assessed, which could present a conflict of interest.
"In such circumstances, there is the potential for a conflict of interest to arise which may well support an apprehension that the claims of group members may not have been fairly assessed," Justice Davies says. "In so stating I am not to be taken as stating that the claims have not been fairly assessed."
She states that were was no good reasons that the claimants did not take the usual approach, which sought assessment from an independent party. Before Justice Davies will be able to award the settlement, it is likely that the claimants will seek independent assessment of their cases. While the proposed settlement remains confidential, it is believed that it will be worth millions.
The claimants state that they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they may be able to recoup their gambling spending and then some.
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