Endo International Plc to put aside more than £580 million to pay off mesh lawsuits

Global pharmaceutical company Endo International Plc are reportedly putting aside another £583 million to settle the remaining vaginal mesh lawsuits made against them. The staggering but deserved sum is to go towards settling some 22,000 lawsuits internationally, and Endo are to begin paying the amount in instalments at the end of this year and into 2019.

They have not admitted any liability.

The £583 million is in addition to the over £2 billion already agreed for 48,000 cases. Last year, Endo reportedly paid out over £800 million in mesh legal settlements.

History of the vaginal mesh cases

First reports of problems arose in 2008 when regulators were made aware of a number of complaints from women who had transvaginal mesh devices implanted to help strengthen the vaginal wall and prevent prolapses. It appeared that complications could arise and patients started complaining about severe pain and serious permanent problems.

Initially, many complaints were dismissed by doctors and physicians as psychological or minor consequences of surgery, but after increasing complaints were reported, investigations found that mesh erosion could cause excruciating pain, incontinence, bleeding and infections.

Operations were needed to repair the erosion, but for some patients, the meshes were fused so deeply into their flesh that removal was completely impossible, leaving them permanently suffering.

In Britain

Thousands of British women are affected by the implants, with complaints in severe cases including the complete inability to have intercourse after having the implant inserted to treat mild incontinence.

Marketed as a “Gold standard 20 minute operation, in and out in a day, back to work within 4-6 weeks”, it seemed like the perfect procedure for women with internal problems. But since having the operation, some women are now left in constant pain and can’t live the life they once had; constantly taking medication and forcibly adjusting their lifestyles.

Several key manufacturers being pursued

Endo are not the only manufacturers of the devices being sued; several other major medical device makers are facing thousands of lawsuits for injuries reportedly caused by the mesh devices.

C.R Bard Inc and household brand Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Inc are to be attending court to answer legal proceedings this year.

Endo’s president and CEO, Rajiv De Silva, stated in August that:

“…beginning in the second quarter of 2017, we aggressively executed a settlement strategy in connection with Endo’s mesh litigation. We believe it is a very important milestone for Endo to have reached agreement… While it remains possible that additional claims will be filed, we believe today’s announcement will assist most mesh claimants to move forward with their lives and will permit Endo to move forward with an even greater focus on executing against our core strategic priorities.”