Introduction

Lawsuit filed for Canadians injured by recalled herbal sleep aid

VANCOUVER - A class action was filed on July 16, 2007 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia by Vancouver resident, Leslie Ellis, against Vancouver based Our World Inc. The lawsuit is brought on behalf of Canadians injured by the herbal sleep aid, Sleepees. The product was recalled following a February 23, 2007 Health Canada advisory that Sleepees contained an undeclared drug, estazolam: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2007/2007_16_e.html. Estazolam belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, a category of drugs that should only be prescribed by a healthcare practitioner. Estazolam can be highly addictive and can cause serious adverse reactions, including depression, loss of memory, allergic reactions, and withdrawal symptoms. Our World Inc. sold Sleepees to consumers without advising them, or Health Canada, that the product contained an addictive and potentially harmful drug.

Leslie Ellis, the plaintiff in the class action lawsuit, began taking Sleepees in September 2006. She has since suffered adverse affects from the drug, including addiction, depression and allergic reaction. Her lawyer, David Klein, says:

“Sleepees was advertised as an all-natural product. Ms. Ellis would never have taken it if she knew it contained an addictive drug. Our World Inc. had an obligation to tell consumers, and Health Canada, what was actually in their product.”

If you or anyone close to you are suffering from medical problems caused by Sleepees complete the Do You Qualify form.

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