Should You Seek Help From Alabama Victoza Attorneys?
In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Victoza, a once-daily injectable drug prescribed to patients struggling with type 2 diabetes. The medication falls into a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, a group that also includes Byetta, Janumet and Januvia. However, studies have linked the medication and other similar drugs to an increased risk of pancreatic and thyroid cancers.
Plaintiffs may consider seeking assistance from Alabama Victoza attorneys to file lawsuits for their injuries. Contact Alabama Victoza attorneys affiliated with Attorney Group for Alabama today to learn more about your legal rights.
Victoza Cancer Risk
Plaintiffs may be considering filing lawsuits with the help of Alabama Victoza attorneys against the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. Lawsuits filed across the country include allegations from patients claiming they suffered from serious side effects such as thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer.
According to experienced Alabama Victoza attorneys, plaintiffs are also alleging that Novo Nordisk knew about the risks and complications prior to releasing the drug, yet the company proceeded to withhold valuable safety information from consumers in order to increase sales of the product. In fact, in 2011 and 2012, the drug grossed over $1 billion and $1.6 billion in sales, respectively. Although studies continue to show evidence of a dangerous link between Victoza and cancers, the manufacturer allegedly continues to promote the drug as safe and effective.
Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, contacted the FDA in April 2012 with a petition to pull Victoza from the public market. In the document, Public Citizen maintains that the medication was approved for use against the advice of a clinical safety reviewer and two pharmacologists, all of who were working with the FDA at the time of the drug’s release.
According to reports, health complications may begin as an inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis. If left untreated, the condition may progress into pancreatic cancer, a potentially fatal disease. Unfortunately, symptoms of acute pancreatitis are not always easy to detect and oftentimes, patients do not know they have the disease until it has developed into full pancreatic cancer.
FDA’s Involvement
According to many Alabama Victoza attorneys, the FDA received over 200 adverse event reports of acute pancreatitis during the medication’s first 17 months on the market. The FDA issued new warnings in June 2011 to inform the public of the drug’s potential link to pancreatitis, thyroid cancer and renal failure. Additionally, Victoza is allegedly the only drug currently approved by the FDA that has been clinical proven to cause thyroid tumors in rats and mice. While the FDA maintains that such is not indicative of a reaction in humans, health analysts report that similar doses may also cause the same effect.
The FDA announced in 2013 that they were actively investigating the link between Victoza and pancreatic cancer after receiving evidence from a study that indicated inflammation of the pancreas and pre-cancerous cell changes.
Victoza Linked to Thyroid Cancer
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices acknowledged receipt of 17 different Victoza thyroid cancer cases, according to reports received by the FDA between June 2011 and June 2012. However, these numbers may only be representative of 1% to 10% of all patients taking Victoza and diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
According to experienced Alabama Victoza attorneys, after receiving this data, the FDA requested a black box warning label on the drug. Still, concerns continue to mount across the country as to whether these warnings are enough. Alabama Victoza attorneys may also question whether the drug should have even be approved in the first place, while others may believe that either Novo Nordisk or the FDA should have recalled the medication as soon as a strong link to cancer became evident. These are issues you would discuss with your Alabama Victoza attorney depending on your specific situation.
Injured by Victoza? Contact Alabama Victoza Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love has taken Victoza to help manage your type 2 diabetes and you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or thyroid cancer, you may need assistance from experienced Alabama Victoza attorneys. At Attorney Group for Alabama, we can review your case, free of charge, and help you to determine if you have a claim. We can also help answer questions you may have. If you decide to pursue a claim, we can connect you with experienced Alabama Victoza attorneys who can handle your claim. Contact us today for your free consultation.
