Novartis Wins Suits Over Medicine Additive

Novartis, maker of the Tavist D and Theraflu cold medicines, persuaded a Los Angeles Superior Court jury to reject consumer claims that it intentionally sold unsafe over-the-counter cold medications, the company said.

Jurors rebuffed two women’s allegations that the Swiss drug maker sold cold remedies Tavist D and Triaminicin containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, knowing it could cause strokes, Novartis said. The women sought more than $69 million in damages, lawyers said.

The Food and Drug Administration prodded drug makers to remove PPA from cough, cold and weight-loss medicines in November 2000 after researchers linked it to high-blood pressure and strokes.

Novartis’ shares fell 10 cents to $46.92 on the NYSE.