Quebec court OK's lawsuit alleging link between hair-loss drugs and erectile dysfunction

Quebec's highest court has authorized a class-action lawsuit on behalf of men who took medication for hair loss and thenallegedly suffered various problems, including erectile dysfunction.

The defendants are Merck Canada and Merck Frosst Canada, whichsold the Propecia and Proscar prescription drugs.

Propecia is used mainly to treat baldness, while Proscar is usedprimarily to treat enlargement of the prostate. Both contain theactive ingredient finasteride.

The lawsuit covers Quebec men who were prescribed one of the two drugs before Nov. 18, 2011, andclaim they developed problemsthat lasted even after they stopped using them. The claims have not been tested in court.

The problems included erectile dysfunction, lower libido levels,ejaculation issues, shrinkage of the genitalsand difficulty inhaving an orgasm.

It is alleged that doctors prescribed Proscar for hair loss.

Lower court decision appealed

Lawyers at the firm of Trudel Johnston & Lesperance who launchedthe legal action said they are happy with the Quebec Court ofAppeal's decision to authorize the lawsuit but they did not want tocomment further.

Attorneys for Merck did not immediately respond to a request foran interview.

A lower court nixed the idea of a lawsuit in 2016.

But the appeals court ruled Quebec Superior Court imposed toomuch of a burden on lead plaintiff Camilo Baratto, who is in hisearly 40s.

The three-judge appeals panel said the lower court, withouthaving to at that stage of the proceedings, took a position on thescientific debate surrounding the medication and its effects.

The high court said the debate must take place but not at thestage of the authorization.

Baratto says he started taking Proscar for his baldness inOctober 2008 by cutting the pills to bring the dose closer to thatof Propecia.

He states he stopped the medication after one month because hewas starting to have side-effects such as a drop in libido, erectileand ejaculation problems, anxiety and depression symptoms.

Baratto, who says he is still suffering today from some of thesecondary effects, acknowledges the potential risks were mentionedon the container but not the fact they could continue once hestopped taking the drug.

He alleges the two companies changed the wording in Switzerlandin 2008 but failed to do so in Canada until November 2011.

Baratto's suit is seeking at least $100,000.The amount for those who will join the action has yet to bedetermined,but $10,000 in punitive damages is being sought for each.