Oct. 7, 1999

A victory for millions of Americans who became ill after taking the popular diet drug combination Phen-Fen.

The maker of one of the drugs in that combination (fenfluramine) has agreed to pay up to $4.83 billion to settle claims that Phen-Fen caused dangerous heart-valve problems.

The company, American Home Products Corporation, says it covers payment to patients who were injured by the drugs, as well as future monitoring for those who are still healthy.

Mike Fishbind/Plaintiff's Attorney: "It does an enormouse amount of good for the people who suffered or may suffer valvular heart disease as a result of taking these diet drugs."

If the settlement is approved, people who developed serious health problems will each get as much as $1.5-million.