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June 10, 2007: A man from New York filed
a lawsuit against Swiss drug giant Novartis AG
alleging that a health drink made by the company
gave him an erection that turned unstoppable and
landed him in hospital.
Christopher Woods, 29, consumed a nutritional
beverage, Boost Plus, that he had bought from a
New York drug store. Next morning he woke up with
an erection that wouldn’t go down. Then he rushed
to a nearby hospital seeking help. The doctors
advised him to go for a surgery.
Following their recommendation, Woods underwent
surgery for a condition medically known as severe
priapism. Surgeons implanted him with a Winter
shunt. The shunt diverts blood flows from one area
to another.
However, according to the lawsuit, Woods’ problems
did not end there. He again required hospitals
visits for different problems. He was hospitalised
for penile artery embolization, a way of closing
blood vessels. He alleged that subsequent
procedures such as closing off some blood flow
prevents engorgement. This lessens his chances for
getting a normal erection.
So, unspecified damages are sought through the
lawsuit that names Novartis Consumer Health Inc.
as a defendant.
Novartis markets Boost Plus as a health drink
enriched by vitamins in different flavours. Its
advertising campaign describes Boost Plus as a
great tasting, high calorie, nutritionally
complete oral supplement for people who require
extra energy and protein in a limited volume." But
it mentions nowhere that it boosts one’s libido
too!
BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT
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