Pfizer fights Nigerian lawsuit

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 6 (UPI) -- Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is fighting back against a $7 billion lawsuit filed by the Nigerian government against the U.S. company.

The Nigerian government sued Pfizer this week, alleging adverse effects the company's anti-meningitis medicine Trovan has had on children and their families.

"The accusations are groundless," said Yannick Pletan, vice president of Pfizer medical division in France, the Nigerian newspaper This Day reported Wednesday.

"The drug had been used with the full knowledge and consent of the authorities, the programme met the highest ethical guidelines and the casualties were a result of meningitis, not the treatment."

The world's largest drug manufacturer conducted tests for the antibiotic following an outbreak of meningitis in Nigeria's Kano state in 1996. About 200 children died or developed complications following the use of the drug, according to the lawsuit. The company has denied any wrongdoing, stating tests were conducted in accordance with local, as well as international, law.