Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. recently announced that it would agree to pay $2.37 billion in order to resolve lawsuits over its diabetes medication, Actos. People throughout the country have been contacting lawyers and suing Takeda for hiding the fact that Actos has been linked to a high risk of cancer. According to a 2011 study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of Actos for more than a year may be associated with a heightened risk of bladder cancer. Also in 2011, lawmakers in both France and Germany suspended the sale of Actos due to health concerns.
Takeda has been fighting Actos lawsuits over the last several years before finally settling just last week. The pharmaceutical giant faces more than 9,000 product liability lawsuits in the United States alone, and the $2 billion settlement is one of the largest drug company payouts in U.S. history. If you or a loved one has been prescribed Actos and has experienced any negative side effects, including cancer, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today. Our personal injury lawyers are committed to representing those throughout McKinney and North Texas in cases against Takeda and other manufacturers of dangerous drugs. We understand how stressful these types of situations can be, which is why we are here to help ensure irresponsible companies, such as Takeda, are held accountable for your injuries.
What is Actos?
Actos (pioglitazone) is a popular Type 2 diabetes drug that is readily prescribed to people with this condition throughout the United States and the world. However, in 2011 the FDA cited a 40 percent increase in bladder cancer risk in those who used the drug for longer than a year. In lawsuits brought against Takeda, plaintiffs claimed that the company hid the risk of bladder cancer from both patients and doctors. In the multi-billion settlement, 95 percent of the lawsuits were resolved. However, Takeda still does not admit liability. If the number of those who agree to the settlement increases to 97 percent or more, Takeda will have to pay $2.4 billion.
Sold since 1999, Actos has now been taken off the market in several countries, as mentioned above. While Actos wasn’t widely connected to the risk of bladder cancer until 2011, there have been concerns about this possibility for more than a decade. A 10-year study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Northern California starting in 2002 showed a 40 percent increased risk of bladder cancer in patients who took the drug regularly for more than a year. This analysis was the basis for the 2011 FDA decision to update the label and insert requirements regarding Actos bladder cancer.
According to Takeda, the intention of the settlement is to resolve the lawsuits more quickly in order for the company to put the issue behind them and move on. Under the terms of the settlement, a payment of more than $296,000 would be awarded per case, as long as the plaintiff agrees to the terms drawn up.
If you have been taking Actos for more than a year and were unaware of the risks of bladder cancer, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today. Our North Texas legal team will go over your case with you and determine whether or not you have the right to file a lawsuit. To learn more about our services or to set up a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, please contact us today.