Nutraquest Settles Diet Drug Claims

The company Nutraquest that was once making promising diet drugs, and some other associated companies have finally settled on a millions of dollars settlement of damage claims linked to the diet pills with ephedra. Ephedra which is similar to amphetamines but is a herbal remedy was banned in the US 2 years ago.

The drug company immediately filed for Chapter 11 bankrupty after the claims were made public and the company collapsed. The payout will be in the region of $35 million dollars  for the nearly 140 law suits filed by those who suffered from the diet drugs and supplements. The settlement involves many businesses who were involved in the producing and sales of the ephedra pills and supplements. The settlement must be given the green light by a US judge and also by the creditors of Nutraquest as not all claims against Nutraquest will be settled with this action.

The case has highlighted the danger of using diet drugs and pills that are not regulated by the FDA or other national health organisations. Ephedra can cause a stroke or heart attack in its users and was heavily marketed as a herbal and natural substance which led people to believe that it was harmless. Only a few existing diet supplement such as Xenical and Reductil have FDA approval and must always be given after doctors advice and with a prescription.