Harrison v. Wyeth Laboratories Division of American Home Products Corp.

510 F. Supp. 1 (1980)

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Harrison v. Wyeth Laboratories Division of American Home Products Corp.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
510 F. Supp. 1 (1980)

  • Written by Elizabeth Yingling, JD

Facts

Anthony Harrison, Janet Harrison, and other similarly situated individuals (collectively, Harrison) (plaintiffs), all citizens of the United Kingdom, sued Wyeth Laboratories Division (Wyeth) of American Home Products Corp. (AHPC) (defendant) for injuries suffered as a result of using oral contraceptives that Harrison purchased in the United Kingdom. Wyeth’s principal place of business was in Pennsylvania. Harrison alleged that Wyeth caused the marketing, sales, and distribution of the contraceptives in the United Kingdom. Harrison also alleged that Wyeth directly, or through its agents, produced and manufactured the contraceptives in the United Kingdom. Wyeth alleged that a U.K. subsidiary of AHPC, John Wyeth & Brothers Limited (JWB), manufactured, packaged, labeled, marketed, and distributed the contraceptives in the United Kingdom. Harrison countered that the alleged wrongful conduct occurred in Pennsylvania, where Wyeth placed the drugs in the stream of commerce without adequate warnings. Harrison also alleged that Pennsylvania law should apply to the case. Wyeth filed a motion to dismiss based on forum non conveniens and asserted that the United Kingdom was the appropriate forum.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Weiner, J.)

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