The fen phen settlement agreement refers to a legal settlement reached between American Home Products (AHP) – now known as Pfizer – and individuals who had taken the diet drug fen-phen. Fen-phen was a combination medication that contained fenfluramine and phentermine, which was used as an appetite suppressant.

In the late 1990s, reports emerged linking fen-phen to potentially fatal heart valve damage. As a result, the drug was withdrawn from the market. A number of individuals who had taken fen-phen subsequently sued AHP, claiming that the company had failed to disclose the potential risks associated with the drug.

The settlement agreement was reached in 1999 and was estimated to have cost AHP around $3.75 billion. The agreement covered all individuals who had taken fen-phen and who had suffered related injuries, including heart valve damage and pulmonary hypertension.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, individuals who had taken fen-phen were able to claim compensation for their injuries. The amount of compensation awarded was based on the severity of the injury and other factors, such as the individual`s age and whether they had undergone surgery to repair the damage caused by the drug.

The fen phen settlement agreement was the largest settlement of its kind at the time and was widely seen as a significant victory for those who had been harmed by the drug. However, the settlement was not without controversy. Some critics argued that the compensation awarded was not sufficient to fully compensate individuals for the harm they had suffered.

In addition, the settlement agreement did not cover individuals who had taken fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine – two other components of fen-phen – separately. This led to a number of additional lawsuits being filed against AHP.

Overall, the fen phen settlement agreement represents a significant milestone in the history of pharmaceutical litigation. It highlights the importance of transparency and disclosure in the pharmaceutical industry and underscores the need for companies to take responsibility for the potential risks associated with their products.