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Several years ago, we decided to try to name the drug and device mass torts.   You know, in case the longest-running products liability MDL is ever the Final Jeopardy answer.  Or, if knowing the largest pharmaceutical MDL to date is something you can use as an ice breaker.  Actually, if you know those things, as my grandmother would say – that and a nickel will get you a cup of coffee (she’s 95 and unfamiliar with Starbuck’s prices).
But, we decided the list was worth updating anyway – including providing links to litigation websites where available.  Let’s start with the ones that are still around since our original post in 2008.  Some are shadows of their former selves; just a few cases hanging on for resolution:

  • MDL – 986 IN RE: “Factor VIII or IX Concentrate Blood Products” Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1203 IN RE Diet Drugs (Phentermine/Fenfluramine/Dexfenfluramine) Products Liability Litigation
  • MDL-1431 IN RE Baycol Products Liability Litigation
  • MDL-1596 IN RE Zyprexa Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1626 IN RE Accutane Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1629 IN RE Neurontin Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1657 IN RE Vioxx Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation
  • MDL-1699 IN RE Bextra and Celebrex Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1708 IN RE Guidant Corp. Implantable Defibrillators Products Liability Litigation
  • MDL-1736 IN RE Celexa and Lexapro Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1742 IN RE Ortho Evra Products Liability Litigation 
  • MDL-1763 IN RE Human Tissue Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1769 IN RE Seroquel Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1785 IN RE Bausch & Lomb Inc. Contact Lens Solution Products Liability Litigation (no website)
  • MDL-1836 IN RE Mirapex Products Liability Litigation

But, some are still going strong and may well continue to generate law that we report on here:

Now, how about the new (?) ones.  These aren’t all the drug/device MDLs that have been created since 2008, but they are the ones that are still listed as active by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation:

There you have it.  A list of what’s what in drug and device MDLs.  For the record – What is MDL 875–Asbestos Products Litigation? and Diet Drugs (according to JPML numbers).