$2.2B GSK settlement resolves most state Zantac cases

GSK settlement overview: 

• Who: British drugmaker GSK agreed to pay up to $2.2 billion to end around 80,000 complaints filed over claims its now-discontinued version of the heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer. 
• Why: The complaints argued ranitidine, the active ingredient in the now-discontinued Zantac, could degrade into the carcinogen NDMA over time or when exposed to heat. 
• Where: The GSK settlement resolved claims filed in U.S. state courts nationwide. 
• How to get help: Consumers or their loved ones who were diagnosed with certain cancers after taking Zantac or ranitidine may qualify to participate in a free Zantac cancer lawsuit investigation.

GSK agreed to pay as much as $2.2 billion to put an end to the majority of complaints arguing the now-discontinued Zantac heartburn medication the British drugmaker manufactured and sold caused cancer. 

The Zantac settlement resolved around 80,000 cases filed against GSK in a number of different U.S. state courts, Reuters reports. 

GSK reportedly is not admitting to any wrongdoing as part of the Zantac settlement, maintaining in a statement that there is “no consistent or reliable evidence” that Zantac’s active ingredient increased the risk of cancer. 

Complaints against GSK centered around the active ingredient ranitidine, which the plaintiffs argued could degrade into the carcinogen NDMA, either over time or if exposed to heat. 

Zantac settlement ends claims brought after FDA asks drug to be pulled from market

Consumers filed complaints against GSK and other drugmakers after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the manufacturers to pull Zantac off the market over ranitidine concerns, Reuters reports. 

In addition to GSK, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim also reportedly sold Zantac at various times. Pfizer and Sanofi both settled a number of similar complaints, while Boehringer Ingelheim is yet to announce a major settlement, Reuters reports.

Zantac, meanwhile, reportedly rebranded the drug as Zantac 360, which no longer contains ranitidine. 

In past news involving the claims, in February 2023, a federal judge in Florida ruled itens of thousands of consumers who were part of claims against Zantac manufacturers would have to file their claims separately. 

The judge’s decision came after a court determined there was no evidence ranitidine caused cancer. The judge ruled at that time that consumers who were part of an abandoned registry would have to file their claims separately in a federal court for them to be considered timely. 

Are you eligible to receive compensation from the Zantac settlement? Let us know in the comments.

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