State sues two drug firms, alleging deceptive practices

CARSON CITY -- Wyeth and Pfizer were sued Tuesday by Nevada's attorney general for alleged deceptive trade practices in selling four hormone therapy drugs.

The lawsuit filed in District Court in Las Vegas contends that Nevada consumers and doctors were misled about the safety and efficacy of Premarin, Prempro and Premphase, sold by Wyeth, and Pfizer's Provera.

"When drug companies purposefully misrepresent the safety and efficacy of their drugs, or promote their drugs in a deceptive way, everybody loses," Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto stated. "We're confident we have the facts necessary to prove this case, and we hope this lawsuit and its outcome will deter improper drug company practices in Nevada."

The lawsuit contends that Wyeth and Pfizer intentionally minimized the risks and exaggerated the benefits of their hormone therapy drugs, resulting in over-prescribing and a dramatic increase in hormone-positive breast cancers in post-menopausal women.

Cortez Masto is working with two private law firms that have been litigating similar cases for several years.