Company Sold Canadians Plastic Surgery Drug|That Was Banned in France, Class Claims

VANCOUVER, B.C. (CN) - Dermatech, a French company, pushed and sold Dermalive, a dangerous injectable plastic for cosmetic surgery, in Canada after France yanked the license for the drug, a class action claims in B.C. Supreme Court.

The class also sued Intradermal Distribution, the exclusive distributor of Dermalive in Canada, and Vivier Pharma, of Quebec.

Plaintiffs say "Dermalive's license as a medical product was suspended in France" on May 19, 2003. Nonetheless, Dermatech sought and received a license to sell Dermalive in Canada, in July 2003 and again in March 2004.

"Dermalive is an injectable permanent filler containing plastic particles which stimulate collagen growth in the soft tissue to plump out dimples and wrinkles," the complaint states. "The defendants continued to make, distribute and market Dermalive in Canada despite the discovery that the use of Dermalive has serious adverse side effects."

The named plaintiff says she developed "disfigurement ... lumps in her face ... facial granulomas ... scarring " that her face became "ropey and indurated," and that she suffers continuing pain from it.

She demands punitive damages. She is represented by David Rosenberg.

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