The FDA issued a letter to Pfizer that will require the manufacturer to change its warnings for its injectable birth control medication, Depo-Provera and Depo-Subq Provera 104. The new label warns that cases of meningiomas (benign brain tumors) have been reported following repeated administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate, primarily with long term use. The label states that patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of meningioma, and to stop using Depo-Provera if a meningioma has been diagnosed.
Second Amended Scheduling Order entered in Pilot cases.
6th MDL Case Management Conference held followed by oral arguments on Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment based on federal preemption.
5th MDL Case Management Conference held.
Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia LLC, and Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC filed their Memorandum in Support for Summary Judgment based on federal preemption.
Defendants Prasco, LLC and Greenstone LLC and Viatris Inc. are voluntarily dismissed from the MDL without prejudice.
The Court entered Plaintiff and Defense Leadership Appointments at PTO 18. Pope McGlamry’s Courtney Mohammadi was appointed to Plaintiffs’ Leadership team.
Second Case Management Conference
Pretrial Orders Entered: The main focus of the conference was the Parties’ Joint Rule 26 Report. With slight modifications, the Court adopted the Parties’ stipulations including:The Court appointed Randall Sansom, CPA as Common Benefit Special Master to assist the Court in ensuring the fair and efficient management of the Common Benefit Fund for the litigation. See PTO 9.
The Court also entered a Common Benefit Order establishing common benefit preliminary procedures and guidelines for any attorneys applying for common benefit fees and/or expenses. See CBO-1.
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) and CMO-1, the Parties submitted a comprehensive Rule 26(f) report with proposed orders and a proposed discovery plan.
The Rule 26 Report also notes that at the March 3, 2025 conference, defendants Greenstone and Viatris took the position that they are not in possession of any responsive or relevant information related to the products at issue because, in part, they never manufactured or held a New Drug Application (NDA) for Depo-Provera. Instead, they aver all the relevant information is in the sole possession of Pfizer. See DE 142 at pp. 8-10. Similarly, defendant Prasco, an authorized generic product licensor of Pfizer, did not manufacture DMPA and does not have a repository of relevant scientific of safety information (among other topics) regarding Depo-Provera. Id. at 10-11.
Initial Case Management Conference
5 Pilot Cases
Rule 26 Meeting
Discovery Conferences
Class Actions Stayed
The class certification motion deadline has been stayed for the medical monitoring class action cases. See CMO-1 at pg. 10.
JPML Transfer Order
On February 7, 2025, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a Transfer Order assigning the Depo-Provera litigation to the Northern District of Florida (Pensacola Division), in front of Judge M. Casey Rodgers.If you developed a brain or spinal tumor (meningioma) after using Depo-Provera or depo-subQ provera 104 for at least one year, Pope McGlamry can help. We are actively investigating Depo-Provera cases and want to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Please call the attorneys at our Atlanta office or submit our form to receive your free case evaluation.
