Reglan Movement Disorder Lawsuit Centralization Sought in New Jersey

A New Jersey judge is calling for a statewide consolidation of all Reglan lawsuits, which involve claims that the heartburn drug causes a rare movement disorder, arguing that the New Jersey court system can better handle the growing number cases if they are centralized in one court. 

Judge Eugene J. Codey, Jr., presiding judge of the Essex County Superior Court, filed a request last month with the administrative director of the courts of New Jersey to centralize all Reglan movement disorder lawsuits pending throughout the New Jersey state court system.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which is the primary defendant in the Reglan litigation is headquartered in New Jersey, leading many cases to be filed in the state’s court system.

In a letter dated March 16, Codey warns that there may be a flood of new cases involving the gastrointestinal drug on the way, all of which similar allegations that side effects of Reglan caused tardive dyskinesia, a rare movement disorder involving involuntary twitches or movements that can affect the face and body.

“Cases have started coming to Essex on a weekly basis,” Codey wrote in his consolidation request. He indicated that two law firms are planning to file between 75 and 100 cases, and a number of other Reglan lawyers are advertising on the internet for individuals who have experienced problems with the drug.

Acting Administrative Director of the Courts in New Jersey, Glenn A. Grant, has issued a notice to the state bar indicating that they have until May 14, 2010 to comment on or object to the application for consolidation.

Reglan, which is also known as generic metocrlopramide, is a drug approved for the short-term treatment of gastrointestinal disorders like diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesphageal reflux (GERD) and delayed gastric emptying. However, it is often prescribed for longer periods of time due to the often chronic persistence of those ailments, which has been shown to increase the risk of tardive dyskinesia and other injuries.

Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological movement disorder that causes repetitive and involuntary movements of the lower face and limbs. Symptoms can include grimacing, chewing, smacking of lips, rapid eye movements and impaired finger movements. There is no known effective treatment of the disorder, and involuntary movements can become permanent, persisting after use of the drug has stopped.

The lawsuits over Reglan all involve common allegations that the manufacturers failed to adequately investigate and study their drugs, or warn about the potential tardive dyskinesia side effects of Reglan associated with use over longer periods of time. In June 2009, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied a request to consolidate the federal Reglan litigation. Therefore, all federal cases are proceeding in individual courts across the country.