Jury rules in favour of GSK in Zantac trial

(Sharecast News) - A court in Illinois has ruled in favour of GSK in the first Zantac case to go to trial, the UK drugs giant confirmed on Friday. Along with other drug manufacturers, GSK is facing thousands of lawsuits over ranitidine, the active ingredient in heartburn medication Zantac, on claims that it causes cancer.

In the first case to come to trial, Illinois-resident Angela Valadez argued that the now discontinued drug had caused her colorectal cancer. Her lawyers said Valadez had taken Zantac and generic versions of the over-the-counter drug between 1995 and 2014, and were seeking $640m for her suffering.

But the jury found GSK not liable for the plaintiff's cancer.

GSK said: "This outcome is consistent with the scientific consensus that there is no consistent or reliable evidence that ranitidine increases the risk of any cancer, supported by 16 epidemiological studies looking at human data regarding the use of ranitidine.

"GSK will continue to vigorously defend itself against all other claims."

Separately, the blue chip also noted that another Zantac trial - which was due to start on 23 May - was dismissed on the grounds that GSK was not the brand manufacturer at the time the plaintiff allegedly used it.