AstraZeneca Could Face 6,000 Lawsuits over Seroquel Side Effects

Orlando, FLA recent ruling from a U.S. district judge could create approximately 6000 individual trials for British drug maker AstraZeneca, which faces litigation over Seroquel Side Effects.

Anne Conway, the judge overseeing the preliminary proceedings in the federal Seroquel trial, has recommended returning all individual cases related to the antipsychotic medication back to local courts.

"(This decision) will get the litigation moving," said Paul Pennock, a lawyer for former Seroquel users, in an interview with Bloomberg. "The decision will help get a huge group of cases to a state of trial-worthiness."

Seroquel has been linked to serious side effects, incuding increased risk of diabetes, hyperglycemia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia and uncontrollable movements.

Seroquel reportedly sold $4.45 billion last year, despite the more than 14,000 lawsuits it faces in the US relating to diabetes claims.

Judge Conway has ordered Astra to meet with a mediator to explore settlement options for the wealth of cases the pharmaceutical giant is facing.