The cost of diabetes care in Alabama averages around $2.5 billion each year, an amount considerably higher than nearby states. Since so many Alabama residents are struggling with the condition, it becomes clear why Actos, a type 2 diabetes medication, has become quite popular among patients. However, Actos has allegedly caused type 2 diabetes patients across the U.S. to suffer from several life-threatening complications, including bladder cancer, prompting many to pursue claims against the company and seek compensation for their injuries.
FDA Updates Actos Risks
In June 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public safety announcement in which the agency informed consumers that, after reviewing data from a 10-year study, the use of Actos for more than 12 months could potentially cause an increased risk of bladder cancer. The agency also stated that it would require that this information be added to the medication’s warning label.
What is Actos?
Actos was first introduced in 1999 and rose to the top of the charts as one of the best-selling type 2 diabetes medications in the world. Actos falls into a class of drugs called thiazolidinediones and is prescribed in conjunction with exercise and diet to help type 2 diabetes patients to better manage their conditions. According to its manufacturers, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, the medication helps to stimulate insulin production and increase the body’s sensitivity to said insulin.
According to many Actos patients pursuing claims for compensation, Actos risks can include:
- Cancer of the bladder
- Cardiovascular complications
- Eye injuries
Actos Litigation Updates
In April 2014, a Louisiana federal court ordered that Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly pay $9 billion in punitive damages in an early Actos federal bellwether trial. According to court documents, the defendants were accused of concealing certain Actos risks, including that of bladder cancer.
Two months later, in June 2014, the insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield filed a lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, claiming that the manufacturer failed to warn of the link between Actos and bladder cancer. According to the lawsuit, the insurance company was forced to pay out claims to cover medical expenses for Actos patients who suffered from complications that they would not have otherwise developed had they been informed of the Actos risks and the possibility of bladder cancer.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals was also found to have acted in bad faith by destroying evidence that potentially linked Actos to bladder cancer. The Louisiana federal judge imposed sanctions against the manufacturer after finding that the drug maker purposefully destroyed, deleted, and attempt to hide relevant evidence and information.
Do You Need an Attorney in Alabama?
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer while taking Actos, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. Contact Attorney Group for Alabama today to schedule your free, comprehensive case evaluation. After we speak with you, we can help you determine if you have a case, and we can connect you with an affiliated attorney in Alabama who can assist you throughout the legal process.
