Three couples have filed lawsuits that claim Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the manufacturer of Actos, hid the fact that the drug has been associated with a risk of cancer.
The three men involved in the suit claim to have taken Actos daily as a part of their type-2 diabetes treatment given to them by their doctor. It took several years for the men learned of the association between the blood-sugar lowering medication and increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
According to the complaint, all three men involved in the lawsuit have been diagnosed with bladder cancer since taking Actos.
While numerous studies have documented an increased risk of bladder cancer in patients who have taken Actos for more than a year, the men claim none of the studies were released or published by researchers of the defendants. The men contend Takeda and Eli Lilly purposefully kept the information to themselves to ensure an FDA approval for Actos.
In 2010, the FDA conducted a study linking an increased risk of bladder cancer with the use of Actos for more than 12 months. According to the patients involved in the claim, manufacturers denied the accuracy of the FDA findings and stood by their opinion that Actos is safe for patients.
In mid-2011, the FDA issued a safety announcement stating that the use of Actos for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. In addition to the safety announcement, this information was added to the drug’s warning label.
One month later, according to the men involved in the case, Takeda Limited issued an Actos recall in France, but failed to do the same in the U.S. The men believe the companies were too concerned with profits made off the drug to pull the drug for patient safety. The men also said that Actos sales account for approximately 27% of the company’s revenue.
Each of the three couples involved in the suit are asking for $50,000 in actual damages, as well as punitive damages and court costs.
Actos received FDA approval for the treatment of diabetes in 1999.
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the severe or life-threatening side effects of Actos, contact an Actos lawyer now. Contact experienced Actos lawyers at Matthews and Associates by calling toll free 1-888-520-5202 or by providing your information on our contact form.
