abcnews.go.comap20031018 861.htmlOpen ↗
Suit Alleges Anthrax Drug's Side Effects Four N.J. Postal Workers Sue Bayer and Hospitals Over
Anthrax Antibiotic's Side Effects
The Associated Press
CAMDEN, N.J. Oct. 18 - Four U.S. Postal Service workers have sued the maker of an antibiotic they
took during the anthrax scare two years ago, saying the drug caused harmful side effects. The
lawsuit filed in Superior Court on Friday claims that Bayer Corp. failed to disclose data that Cipro
could damage nerves and tendons.
The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, also accuses three New Jersey hospitals of failing to
provide warnings, perform exams or offer alternative medications.
Thousands of people who may have been exposed to anthrax were encouraged to take Cipro or
doxycycline, another antibiotic. Anthrax was found in mail or mail processing facilities in
Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Florida and Connecticut.
The anthrax attacks killed five people and sickened 17 nationwide. No arrests have been made.
Representatives from Bayer Corp., the Pittsburgh-based U.S. subsidiary of German pharmaceutical
giant Bayer AG, and the New Jersey hospitals said they were unaware of the lawsuit and had no
immediate comment on it.
Last month, after a Philadelphia law firm announced plans for a similar lawsuit, a Bayer spokeswoman
said Cipro's label warns of side effects.
The four New Jersey postal workers suing Bayer worked at the Hamilton postal facility, where at
least four anthrax-laden letters with Trenton postmarks were processed. That building has been shut
since 2001.
Mail handler James Sherman said he developed pain in his elbows, knees and groin shortly after
taking Cipro.
"I later complained to the hospital," Sherman told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "But now, I walk like
I'm crippled all the time. I never had these aches and pain before."