A judge recently ruled that pharmaceutical company Merck & Co must release its email exchanges concerning its shingles vaccine, Zostavax. More than 1,800 lawsuits filed against Merck & Co combined into a multidistrict litigation, and the plaintiffs accuse the company of changing label information on their vaccine. Plaintiffs claim this caused them severe injuries. It has yet to be announced what information plaintiffs believe Merck & Co changed on the label. The judge ruled that nearly all of the documents in question should be released. Source: Reuters

Among growing lawsuits against the company for talc-caused cancers and other health issues, Johnson & Johnson will discontinue the sale of talcum powder-based products in North America. This decision is a major concession for the company, as it has long marketed its talc-products as safe and gentle. The company will still sell its cornstarch-based baby powder. Source: New York Times

Plaintiffs’ accusations that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products caused cancer were upheld by a Missouri appeals court.  The lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson was brought by women who have ovarian cancer and link their tumors to their use of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. The court ordered the company to pay $2.1 billion to the women; however, the company says it plans to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Source: New York Times