Parker & Waichman, LLP Retained by Patients Diagnosed with Liver Damage after Using Ketek

Firm Plans to File Suit Against Sanofi-Aventis on Behalf of Injured Parties

NEW YORK, May 19, 2006 --- Parker & Waichman, LLP (www.yourlawyer.com) announces that it has been retained by individuals who suffered liver damage and liver failure after using the antibiotic Ketek. Ketek is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) and is commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections in the lungs and sinuses. It has been reported that the FDA and Sanofi-Aventis are in discussions about revising Ketek’s safety label after FDA reviewers recommended a strong warning about cases of liver failure. The Wall Street Journal reported that an internal FDA report linked Ketek to 12 cases of liver failure, including four deaths. For more information on Ketek please visit http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Ketek and http://www.ketek-liver-failure.com.

Ketek was approved by the FDA in 2004 for the treatment of respiratory infections. The FDA rejected the drug in 2001 and 2003, asking for more safety information. On January 20, 2006 the Annals of Internal Medicine released an article detailing liver toxicity in three Ketek patients. This article detailed patients at Carolinas Medical Center, in Charlotte, North Carolina, who developed various liver problems after using the drug. One patient took Ketek for just five days and died from liver failure, another patient required a liver transplant after using the drug, and the third person developed hepatitis after using the medication but later recovered. While the authors of this article stated that these cases don’t conclusively prove that Ketek caused the liver problems, the FDA issued a public health advisory on January 20, 2006 that warned of a possible link. The FDA advisory is available at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/safety06.htm#Ketek.

Parker & Waichman, LLP is encouraging all patients who have been diagnosed with liver damage or liver failure during or after the use of Ketek to request a free case evaluation by visiting http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Ketek or by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

About Parker & Waichman, LLP
Parker & Waichman, LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker & Waichman, LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective medications and medical devices. The firm is currently representing individuals injured by Ortho Evra, Vioxx, Bextra, Zyprexa, Tequin, ReNu with MoistureLoc, Guidant defibrillators and many other defective drugs and medical products. For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit: (http://www.yourlawyer.com) or call (800) LAW-INFO ((800) 529-4636).

Contact:
Parker & Waichman, LLP
Jason Mark, Esq.
Melanie H. Muhlstock, Esq.
1 (800) LAW-INFO
1 (800) 529-4636, Toll-free
info@yourlawyer.com
www.yourlawyer.com

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Jason Mark

Esq.

Parker & Waichman, LLP

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