A Nigerian judge has delayed criminal proceedings against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. until October to allow prosecutors more time to prepare, court officials said Wednesday.
Justice Anwuri Shekere heard a 23-count charge against Pfizer before granting a request by government lawyer Babatunde Irukera to spend more time preparing the case. The trial will resume Oct. 29.
Irukera accuses the drug company of improperly importing and administering drugs during a trial of an anti-meningitis drug in 1996, leading to the deaths or disablement of dozens of children. Two hundred children were given various drugs, including Pfizer's antibiotic Trovan, during an outbreak of meningitis in northern Nigeria.
Pfizer denies the charges. It said earlier this month that its "Trovan study was approved in advance by the federal government of Nigeria, it was conducted in an ethical and appropriate manner, and it helped save lives."
The company faces four separate lawsuits in Nigeria, two launched by Kano state where the trials took place and two by the federal government of Nigeria.
The federal civil suit, which is separate from Wednesday's proceedings, is seeking $7 billion in damages. The state civil suit seeks $2 billion in damages.
Criminal proceedings against the New York-based drugmaker began in May but have faced a number of delays due to procedural issues.
Copyright 2007 AP Features
