Sanofi May Have Destroyed Emails Pertaining to the 2019 Recall

According to www.bloomberg.com, a recent court filing alleges that Sanofi, the French drug company that manufactures Zantac, the heartburn medication that was recalled in 2019, destroyed emails relating to the recall. The discovery that Zantac was contaminated with a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) lead to the recall of the drug in 2019.

Lawyers for plaintiffs assert that the destruction of emails is hindering the progress of the litigation, such as a delay in depositions, and the need for more time to prepare for trials to begin in 2022. Lawyers for Sanofi argue that “there was no intentional destruction of data,” after disclosing that specific emails “were not preserved as intended.”

Whether the destruction of any emails relating to the 2019 recall of Zantac was intentional is unclear, but regardless of intent, the absence of the emails has caused a delay in the litigation.

Moreover, without the deleted emails, lawyers for plaintiffs will not know the content of those emails and whether they demonstrate Sanofi knew Zantac was contaminated with a carcinogen, and still allowed the drug to reach consumers in a contaminated state.

How a Zantac Lawyer Can Help Clients Fight Big Pharma

Zantac was such a widely used heartburn medication in the United States and it is shocking to see the large number of plaintiffs who have developed cancer. The carcinogen that was found in Zantac’s chemical makeup is nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets the daily allowable limit of NDMA for humans at 96 nanograms. Researchers found that just one dose of Zantac contained more than 3 million nanograms of NDMA. Zantac users who developed cancer believe the high levels of NDMA found in Zantac is to blame.

Zantac lawyers are helping plaintiffs nationwide who have developed cancer after taking Zantac. The high levels of NDMA found in Zantac was an ongoing issue rather than being tied to a particular batch or lot of Zantac that was inadvertently contaminated.

Lawyers are claiming, on behalf of injured plaintiffs, that Zantac was not only defectively manufactured but also that Sanofi, Zantac’s maker, failed to warn consumers of the high levels of NDMA in the drug – something the drugmaker is alleged to have known about.

Sanofi is not the only drug company in hot water. Multiple generic drug manufacturers are facing similar lawsuits from plaintiffs who have developed cancer after taking the generic version of Zantac, called ranitidine. The lawsuits against generic manufacturers allege that their versions of ranitidine, like brand-name Zantac, were tainted with dangerously high levels of NDMA.

Contact a Zantac Lawyer at Searcy Denney Today

Zantac is just one of many drugs that are linked to cancer in tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of individuals nationwide. The presence of a carcinogen in the makeup of the drug has caused needless injuries to far too many people that place trust in their healthcare providers and drug companies.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, you should allow a qualified Zantac lawyer to evaluate your situation to determine whether you have potential legal claims against Sanofi, the manufacturer of Zantac.

To schedule a free case evaluation, contact a Zantac lawyer at Searcy Denney today by calling (800) 780-8607 or by completing a case inquiry form on our website. Our skilled legal team is well-equipped to provide you with the information and guidance you need to move forward.