Pharma companies could be facing billions of dollars in legal payouts as the fallout from a March ruling in the US Supreme Court makes itself felt, according to Bloomberg.

The Supreme Court ruled that Federal approval of a drug complete with listed side effects doesn’t stop people suing over side effects (see: FDA-approved warning labels won’t protect companies). Bloomberg now reports that the decision has “affected more than 250 lawsuits involving at least 10 companies that were in limbo before”.

Mark Herrmann, attorney at Jones Day in Chicago, told the wire service that the decision could cost the industry billions. “There’s no way to quantify it, but the number has as many zeroes in it as attacked Pearl Harbor,” he said.

Full article: Wyeth Supreme Court Loss Breaks Drug Lawsuit Logjam.