The Arnolds and three other patients sued the drug companies, alleging the companies knew physicians and nurses would be tempted to re-use 50-milliliter vials of the anesthetic propofol in order to save money. The suit alleged the companies did nothing to remove the overly large vials from outpatient clinics despite this knowledge.
Health officials say the hepatitis C outbreak stemmed from nurse anesthetists reusing contaminated propofol vials. The case is similar to last year’s trial that ended with a $500 million verdict against the companies in favor of patient Henry Chanin.
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