About
This Multidistrict Litigation ("MDL") was created by Order of the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("MDL Panel") on October 16, 2007. The typical case involves claims by a plaintiff from anywhere in the United States against defendant SmithKlineBeecham Corp., doing business as GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK").
In its October 16, 2007 Order, the MDL Panel found that the actions in this MDL "involve common questions of fact, and that centralization . . . in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation."
The MDL Panel noted that the actions "arise from allegations that certain diabetes drugs manufactured by GSK -- Avandia and/or two sister drugs containing Avandia (Avandamet and Avandaryl) -- cause an increased risk of heart attack and other physical injury, and that GSK failed to provide adequate warnings concerning that risk." GSK denies these allegations. The Panel further found that "centralization . . . will eliminate duplicative discovery, avoid inconsistent rulings, and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary."
Contacts
Presiding Judge: The Honorable Cynthia M. Rufe
Please Read Judge Rufe's Policies and Procedures before contacting her chambers.
Secretary/Civil Deputy: Velma T. White
Courtroom Deputy: Erica Pratt
United States District Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Courtroom 12A
James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse
601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone: (267) 299-7490
Fax: (267) 299-5077
Plaintiffs' Liaison Counsel: Stephen A. Corr, Esq.
Begley, Carlin & Mandio, L.L.P.
Langhorne, PA 19047
Telephone: (215) 750-0110
Fax: (215) 750-0954
E-mail: Scorr@begleycarlin.com
Chair, Plaintiffs' Steering Committee: Vance R. Andrus, Esq.
1775 Sherman Street
Suite 3100
Denver, CO 80203
Telephone: (303) 376-6360
Fax: (303) 376-6361
Defendant's Liaison Counsel: Nina Gussack, Esq.
Pepper Hamilton, LLP
3000 Two Logan Square
18th & Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: (215) 981-4000
Fax: (215) 981-4750
State Liaison Counsel: Dianne M. Nast, Esq.
NastLaw LLC
1101 Market Street
Suite 2801
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: (215) 923-9300
Fax: (215) 923-9302
Transcripts and Audio
Hearing Transcripts
Transcripts are available on PACER which can be accessed from the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) Home Page. Please see Notice of Electronic Availability of Transcripts in CM/ECF and Transcript Redaction for information regarding the availability of hearing transcripts accessible via PACER, and the FAQs for additional information concerning transcripts.
| Title or Topic | Date Held | Docket Entry No. |
|---|---|---|
| Transcript of Initial Pretrial Conference | 04/08/2008 | 113 |
| Transcript of First Status Conference | 05/09/2008 | 123 |
| Transcript of Second Status Conference | 06/20/2008 | 168 |
| Transcript of Third Status Conference and First Motions Hearing | 09/26/2008 | 248 |
| Transcript of Fourth Status Conference | 11/10/2008 | 285 |
| Transcript of Fifth Status Conference | 02/27/2009 | 372 |
| Transcript of Sixth Status Conference and Second Motions Hearing | 04/17/2009 | 441 |
| Transcript of Seventh Status Conference and Third Motions Hearing | 06/19/2009 | 454 |
| Transcript of Eighth Status Conference | 09/09/2009 | 517 |
| Transcript of Ninth Status Conference | 04/01/2010 | 635 |
| Transcript of Daubert Hearing, Day 1 | 09/20/2010 | - |
| Transcript of Daubert Hearing, Day 2 | 09/21/2010 | - |
| Transcript of Daubert Hearing, Day 3 | 09/22/2010 | - |
| Transcript of Tenth Status Conference | 09/22/2010 | - |