Abbott and Mead Johnson Not Liable for Boy's Illness

By Brendan Pierson
(Reuters) – A jury ruled on Thursday that Abbott and Mead Johnson, a unit of Reckitt, are not responsible for a young boy's severe intestinal disease. This decision came after a lawsuit accused them of failing to adequately warn about the risks associated with their premature baby formulas. The ruling is seen as a significant win for the companies, especially after substantial losses in previous cases.

During the five-week trial in St. Louis, Missouri, the plaintiff's lawyers requested over $6.2 billion in damages. Abbott stated that the verdict confirmed the safety of preterm infant nutrition products, which was supported by the medical community and regulatory bodies. Mead Johnson echoed this sentiment, indicating that the claims were not substantiated by scientific evidence or expert opinions.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Kaine Whitfield by his mother, Elizabeth Whitfield. It claimed that the companies did not issue appropriate warnings about the potential for necrotizing enterocolitis—a severe condition primarily affecting premature infants—linked to their specialized formulas used in neonatal intensive care units.

Kaine, now seven years old, was born prematurely and developed this disease after receiving formula at St. Louis Children's Hospital. He survived a surgery for the condition, but the lawsuit claims he faces long-term developmental and health challenges. The hospital involved was also a defendant but was found not liable.

This case is part of around 1,000 similar lawsuits across the country, igniting concerns among medical professionals about the potential impact on the availability of these formulas. Abbott's CEO, Robert Ford, warned that continued lawsuits could jeopardize the market presence of such products.

In recent months, two separate trials resulted in significant penalties against Mead Johnson and Abbott, contributing to ongoing scrutiny from regulatory agencies and scientific bodies. They collectively assert that current evidence does not endorse the claim that formula feeding leads to necrotizing enterocolitis. Critically, Abbott and Mead were not permitted to present this scientific backing during the latest trial.

Summary

A jury ruled Abbott and Mead Johnson not liable for a boy's illness linked to infant formula, affirming the safety of their products amid ongoing lawsuits and health concerns.