A proposed class of buyers has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., alleging that the company’s extended-release potassium chloride capsules are dangerously defective. The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey federal court, claims that the capsules release potassium too quickly, resulting in the death of the lead plaintiff’s mother.
The suit was initiated by Debra Butler, whose mother, Mary Louise Cormier, died after taking the allegedly defective pills. According to the complaint, Glenmark’s capsules, although marketed as compliant with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards, functioned like rapid-release capsules, posing serious health risks. The lawsuit accuses Glenmark of knowingly selling these defective products, prioritizing profits over patient safety.
Glenmark $50M Suit : Allegations of Rapid Potassium Release
The lawsuit contends that Glenmark’s extended-release potassium chloride capsules, which are commonly prescribed to treat hypokalemia, failed to meet the essential USP guidelines. These guidelines are designed to prevent the rapid release of potassium, which can cause dangerous spikes in blood potassium levels and lead to cardiac arrest. Butler’s complaint starkly states that Glenmark’s capsules were “more suitable for an execution” than medical treatment.
