U.S. drugmaker Wyeth stated it will appeal verdicts in an Arkansas trial involving its hormone replacement drugs in which the jury ordered the drugmaker to pay more than $20 million in damages.

Of six other cases that have gone to trial and reached a verdict, four ended in Wyeth victories, one was won by the plaintiff and another was remanded for a new trial.

The jury’s decision:

· Donna Scroggin should be awarded $ 2.75 million dollars in compensatory damages by Wyeth and co-defendant Upjohn

· The patient was also awarded $19,360,000 in punitive damages against Wyeth and $7,760,000 against Upjohn.

Madison-based Wyeth is facing more than 5,000 lawsuits from people who claim they were harmed by its Premarin and Prempro hormone replacement drugs, which have been used by millions of women to control the effects of menopause.

Wyeth attorney Lyn Pruitt said there is no basis in fact or law for the award or for the earlier compensatory damage award. "We are confident in our position on appeal," she said.

Pruitt also stated Wyeth would pursue several post-trial motions in an effort to overturn the verdicts "and will ultimately appeal the entire case if necessary."

The drugmaker has argued that the risks associated with the hormone replacement therapies were clearly communicated to doctors and patients, and that the drugs are approved by U.S. health regulators. Together, Premarin and Prempro have generated earnings of close to $ 1.1 billion dollars in 2007, and remain on the market.

Four other cases set for trial were dismissed by courts on summary judgment and a dozen other cases have been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs before trial, Wyeth has stated.