Sarah N. Westcot Appointed to Leadership in Nasal Decongestants Multidistrict Litigation

On April 3, 2024, Judge Brian Cogan of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York appointed Sarah N. Westcot to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in In re Oral Phenylephrine Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 1:23-md-3089.

The lawsuit revolves around the efficacy of phenylephrine, an active ingredient in over 250 over-the-counter products marketed for nasal congestion relief. While phenylephrine is marketed as an effective solution for nasal congestion, numerous scientific studies suggest that its performance does not meet expectations, especially when compared to alternatives like pseudoephedrine. Plaintiffs challenge Defendants’ conduct in promoting, marketing, advertising, distributing, labeling, and/or selling phenylephrine products, and allege Defendants’ conduct led to millions of consumers overpaying for medications that were ineffective.

As a key member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, Sarah will play a crucial role in advocating on behalf of the affected consumers. “I am pleased that Judge Cogan recognized my experience in leading consumer class actions, and I look forward to working with co-counsel to move this case forward to resolution,” said Sarah. This leadership appointment continues Bursor & Fisher’s long history of leadership roles in consumer class actions and Multidistrict Litigations.