Bracco Imaging has declined to comment on a lawsuit brought by actor Chuck Norris and his wife Gena that alleges the company's MRI gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are the cause of Gena's severe health problems.
The Norrises are seeking more than $10 million in damages from Bracco and several of its affiliates, including McKesson, Takeda, Acist Medical Systems, and Merry X-Ray Chemical.
The lawsuit states that Gena's long-term health complications began after three gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans over an eight-day period for a routine medical condition. The document also alleges that Gena was given Bracco's gadoteridol (ProHance) and gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance) GBCAs, which were responsible for her cognitive deficits, body pain and burning, kidney damage, and loss of energy and mobility.
She subsequently required multiple hospitalizations and has paid almost $2 million in out-of-pocket medical expenses.
"As a corporate policy, Bracco does not comment on pending litigations," the company said in a statement to AuntMinnie.com. "Bracco takes patient safety very seriously and stands behind the safety of all of its products, the MR contrast agents MultiHance and ProHance included."
GBCAs have been a part of "standard clinical practice to enhance the diagnostic effectiveness of MR imaging for more than 30 years in more than 300 million patients," Bracco added. "Their use is an essential component in the diagnosis, monitoring, and follow-up care of a variety of clinical conditions. Bracco has worked for more than 90 years to develop solutions to help improve patients' lives."
A representative for McKesson said the company is preparing a response to the lawsuit.
"McKesson is aware of the lawsuit and is currently reviewing the complaint," the company said in an email to AuntMinnie.com. "We will respond in a timely matter."
