Johnson & Johnson Responds To $8 Billion Verdict In Risperdal Male Breast Growth Case

On Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) was ordered to pay $8 billion in punitive damages to 26-year-old Nicholas Murray, who claimed that the drug, Risperdal, led to breast growth in boys.

The drug, which is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in autistic disorders, was claimed to have no warning by Johnson & Johnson that breast growth could occur in males when taking the antipsychotic drug.

The case is not the only one that Johnson & Johnson is facing as thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the company related to the Risperdal drug and abnormal male breast growth or gynecomastia, USA Today reported. The suits reportedly claim that Johnson & Johnson did not warn about these risks when using the drug.

The attorneys for Murray said in a statement (via USA Today), "This jury, as have other juries in other litigations, once again imposed punitive damages on a corporation that valued profits over safety. Johnson & Johnson and Janssen chose billions over children."

Johnson & Johnson called the settlement “grossly disproportionate” and said in a statement that it would immediately move “to set aside this excessive and unfounded verdict.”

The company pointed to the inability to present “ a meaningful defense due to the Court’s exclusion of key evidence.

“As a result, the jury did not hear evidence as to how the label for Risperdal clearly and appropriately outlined the risks associated with the medicine, or the benefits Risperdal provides to patients with serious mental illness. Further, the plaintiff’s attorneys failed to present any evidence that the plaintiff was actually harmed by the alleged conduct,” the company said.

Murray began taking Risperdal off-label in 2003 for issues related to his autism, Reuters reported. He was awarded $680,000 but was prevented from seeking punitive damages in New Jersey until a Pennsylvania court ruled that the laws of his home state applied.

Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock were down 2.02 percent as of 12:14 p.m. ET on Wednesday.