Defective Drug Lawyers File Lawsuit On Behalf Of Patient Who Took Actos. Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective drugs, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Kentucky woman naming Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Eli Lilly and Co as Defendants.
The complaint alleges that the Defendants were negligent and/or fraudulent with regard to Actos, which had a direct negative impact on the Plaintiff’s health and well-being.
The suit was filed on June 14th in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (Case No. 6:12-cv-1703). It is one of numerous cases pending in the Actos multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 6:11-md-2299), where Jerrold S. Parker, co-founder of Parker Waichman, has been appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
The suit states that she took Actos as prescribed from 2007 to 2010
According to the lawsuit, the Plaintiff, a Kentucky woman, began to suffer from bladder cancer around July 2009. The suit states that she took ‘Actos’ as prescribed from 2007 to 2010. The complaint alleges that the Plaintiff suffered several adverse effects as a result of the defective drug, and is claiming:
- severe mental and physical pain and suffering
- past and future permanent injuries and emotional distress
- economic loss due to medical expenses
- living – related expenses as a result of a new lifestyle
The lawsuit alleges that the Plaintiff would not have taken Actos and experienced subsequent harm if the Defendants had taken proper measures to warn about the dangers associated with the drug, in particular the increased risk of bladder cancer linked to exposure to the drug for a year or more.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discussed the potential link between Actos and bladder cancer in a September 2010 Safety Announcement. After reviewing data from an ongoing 10 year study by Kaiser Permanente, the agency found an increased risk after two years of exposure.
Last June, the FDA issued another Safety Announcement this time warning that users may be more likely to develop bladder cancer after one year of use. The announcement also informed the public of a label update on ‘Actos’ and other pioglitazone-containing products to include the possibility of bladder cancer with continued exposure. According to further review of the interim results of Kaiser Permanente’s study, those who took Actos for a year may be exposed to an increased risk of 40 percent compared to non-users.
Use of Actos was suspended in France and Germany last June
Use of Actos was suspended in France and Germany last June, only a few days before the FDA issued its Safety Announcement. The lawsuit states that the decision was based on a French retrospective cohort study revealing an increased risk of bladder cancer in male patients who took the drug for at least one year.
Canadian regulators have also addressed the notion that Actos causes bladder cancer. In April, Health Canada updated the label on Actos warning that the drug may be linked to an increased risk and contraindicated the medication in patients with a history of bladder cancer or have blood in the urine.
Most recently, a study published late last month in the British Medical Journal found that the risk of bladder cancer was doubled in patients who took ‘Actos’ for at least two years.
Parker Waichman LLP continues to offer free legal consultations to victims of ‘Actos’. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos, please contact their office by visiting the firm’s Actos injury page. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
Need Legal Help Regarding Actos?
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
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