Houma, LAIt may still be early in 2012, but the number of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits is already increasing. Multiple Actos lawsuits, alleging a link between Actos and bladder cancer, have been filed by patients who say they were harmed by Actos side effects.
One such lawsuit was filed by Russell Samanie (as reported by the Daily Comet; 2/1/12). Samanie alleges he developed bladder cancer after using Actos for more than a year. According to the lawsuit, Samanie seeks damages for his injury and for emotional suffering. The lawsuit alleges that Takeda Pharmaceuticals, maker of Actos, concealed the risk of bladder cancer associated with use of Actos for more than 12 months.
In June 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that the use of Actos for more than a year was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The agency noted that the risk of bladder cancer increased by 40 percent for patients who took Actos for at least 12 months. Furthermore, the agency announced, information about the increased risk of bladder cancer is being added to the drug's warning label. Sales of Actos have been stopped in Germany and France, while Health Canada announced that its post-marketing materials for Actos include information about the risk of bladder cancer.
An August 5, 2011 report by The Associated Press speculates that thousands of lawsuits could be filed against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, while the increased warnings could severely restrict sales.
Patients who filed lawsuits against Takeda and Eli Lilly allege they were seriously injured by the use of Actos, while other plaintiffs claim their loved ones died after taking the diabetes medication.
Three such lawsuits were filed in Illinois by men who allege Takeda knew about the risk of bladder cancer but intentionally hid the risk from patients. According to The Madison Record (2/2/12), the three men said they used Actos daily for high blood sugar, but did not learn until they had been on the drug for years that it was possibly linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. All three men say they have been diagnosed with bladder cancer.
The plaintiffs accuse Takeda and Eli Lilly of negligence, strict liability and failure to warn.
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