Suit against Novartis moves forward

March 9, 2010 DAVIDSON COUNTY A federal judge in Nashville has refused to dismiss 40 lawsuits against a Swedish-based pharmaceutical company accused of failing to warn patients that two of its drugs can cause severe deterioration of the jaw. U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell's ruling last week is the latest blow to Novartis Corp., which is facing lawsuits from hundreds of patients around the country over its bone-strengthening drugs Aredia and Zometa. The 40 cases from people treated with the drugs in Florida represent a portion of the more than 600 cases against Novartis in U.S. District Court in Nashville. There are about 150 additional cases being handled by a state court in New Jersey. Trials are set to begin later this year around the country. — ASSOCIATED PRESS