Exec Fired For Questioning Ortho Evra Safety?

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Dr. Joel S. Lippman, former VP at two subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson, claims he was fired for questioning the safety of Ortho Evra, among other faulty products. Johnson & Johnson claims Dr. Lippman was fired for improper conduct, but the former exec says he was terminated for repeatedly raising safety concerns and asking that products be recalled or not launched at all.

The lawsuit alleges Lippman's problems with his employer began when he complained about inadequate safety data on a hormonal menopausal product called Ortho-Prefest and about serious health concerns over the Ortho Evra patch, "which released dangerously high levels of estrogen into patients."

This September, the Food and Drug Administration required J&J to add a warning to the Ortho Evra package insert stating the risk of dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs may be higher for women on the patch instead of birth-control pills.

As of October 1st, there were over 1000 lawsuits pending with women claiming injuries from Ortho Evra. Some women have died of blood clots while using the drug.