Bloomberg reports that Denmark-based vaginal mesh manufacturer Coloplast’s stock dropped the most in almost four years over concerns about lawsuits that patients injured by the implants have filed.
The story says a joint status conference is scheduled for lawsuits filed against vaginal mesh manufacturers including Coloplast, American Medical Systems Holdings Inc., CR Bard Inc. and Boston Scientific Corp.
The mesh implants are supposed to treat urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, which is a condition that results when weakened muscles no longer provide adequate support for pelvic organs.
But they’ve generated widespread reports of health problems for patients who have received them, as well as about 11,000 lawsuits. Common complaints include infections, organ perforation and chronic pain so bad that patients are frequently compelled to give up sexual intercourse.
In the first of those lawsuits to go to trial, a New Jersey jury recently awarded $11.1 million to a woman who received an implant made by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon.
That outcome has apparently spooked other mesh manufacturers. Bloomberg quotes an analyst as saying: “It’s fair to say the number of cases is growing, and it represents a risk. It’s extremely difficult to come up with a qualified estimate on the potential cash flow impact.”
If you have a vaginal mesh implant, you should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns. If you have significant injuries, you should also consult with a mesh lawyer to discuss your legal rights.
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