Major progression in happening in the Viagra lawsuit movement, as parties from both sides are scheduled to meet with U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg for an initial status conference in the multidistrict litigation (MDL).

The status conference is scheduled for next month, to discuss the organizational structure of the MDL and how the growing Viagra lawsuit numbers should be managed.

There are currently at least 30 Viagra lawsuits pending against Pfizer Inc. in district courts across the country, alleging the erectile dysfunction drug caused them melanoma skin cancer.

Each Viagra lawsuit alleges Pfizer had failed to warn them against melanoma skin cancer, and how this disease could be induced by Viagra side effects.

Judge Seeborg had scheduled an initial status conference for the Viagra litigation movement for June 15, 2016, with both sides having already submitted statements and proposed items to be covered on the meeting’s agenda.

According to a proposed joining agenda from the plaintiffs, the status conference should discuss an attorney leadership structure that appoints certain attorneys to take charges for all plaintiffs during proceedings.

Move to Streamline Filing for Viagra Lawsuit Cases

The plaintiff side is also calling for an update of the nationwide status of the Viagra MDL, as well as as an establishment of confidentiality agreements and protective orders and for a Master Consolidated Complaint and Short Form Complaint to streamline the filing process.

As for the defendant’s position statements, Pfizer is focusing on trying to persuade the court to dismiss these Viagra lawsuit cases for lack of scientific evidence showing a link between melanoma and Viagra side effects.

Pfizer is expected to focus on the lack of proof showing causation in the Viagra litigation, in which the company has indicated it will focus on during early proceedings.

“Given the scientific record here, Pfizer respectfully suggests that it is in the best interests of all parties to conduct an initial phase of fact discovery limited to the issue of general causation, to be followed by expert reports and appropriate [challenges to the admissibility of evidence] directed to that issue,” Pfizer wrote in a statement.

Pfizer also points out the number of Viagra lawsuits is continuing to grow, with over 100 additional cases pending in federal courts across the country being transferred to the Viagra MDL.

As the lawyers involved in the litigation continues to review and file claims on behalf of men suffering from alleged Viagra melanoma skin cancer, it is predicted the litigation movement will reach a Viagra lawsuit count in the thousands.

By centralizing the Viagra lawsuit cases under Judge Seeborg, the chances of duplicate discovery and conflicting rulings are avoided from different courts with both parties gaining greater convenience.

As part of the coordinated pretrial proceedings, a small group of lawsuits will be selected as bellwether cases that will go to trial. While the outcome of the Viagra lawsuit selection will not affect other cases, they could influence potential Viagra melanoma settlements.

However if Pfizer fails to resolve the litigation after the MDL proceedings, each Viagra lawsuit could be refiled back into their original district courts for their separate trial dates.