LONDON, Ont. - The maker of osteoporosis drug Fosamax is facing a class-action lawsuit amid allegations the drug causes a condition known as "jaw death."
The law firm Siskinds LLP has launched the suit against Merck Frosst Canada.
The statement of claim alleges Merck failed to adequately warn patients and physicians that Fosamax has been associated with an increased risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, or "jaw death.''
ONJ can cause pain, soft-tissue swelling and infection, loosening of teeth and exposed bone.
Fosamax was approved for sale in Canada in 1995.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
"We believe that through this lawsuit Merck will be required to explain to Canadian consumers what it knew about the risks associated with Fosamax and when it first became aware of those risks,'' Michael Peerless, a partner with Siskinds LLP, said in a statement.
"In this case, as with all of these types of cases, we are concerned about whether Canadians were adequately warned of the risks associated with using the product in question.''
