Insufficient scientific evidence has led a New York appellate court to uphold a ruling that the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra does not contribute to heart disease. Several lawsuits had been filed against the drug's maker, Pfizer Inc., claiming Viagra caused heart attacks.
The appeals court concluded that two trial judges had appropriately disallowed expert testimony because it was based on scientific principles that have not gained "general acceptance." In its ruling, the court stated that clinical trials of the drug did not indicate myocardial infarction as a risk factor. Additionally, it was determined that there was an "absence of any clinical data supporting their (plaintiff's) expert's theory that there is a causal link between the use of the drug Viagra and heart attacks."