At the end of 2011, Asia's largest drug maker, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, was facing hundreds of lawsuits in federal court. It may just be the tip of the iceberg: some legal experts expect the number of suits to skyrocket to as many as 10,000 in the coming months.
The pending legal actions stem from troubling research pertaining to Actos, the world's best-selling diabetes medication. In June, 2011, government analysis of a Takeda-sponsored study revealed that some Actos users faced an increased risk of developing bladder cancer, a serious and potentially fatal disease. Since then, hundreds of diabetes patients have flocked to nationwide Actos lawyers. Only recently was an intense debate as to venue for the federal Actos litigation settled.
Actos Cases to Be Heard In Western District of Louisiana
Thousands of Americans have taken or are currently taking Actos; the drug accounted for 27 percent of Takeda's revenue last fiscal year and had worldwide sales of $4.8 billion. Takeda benefited from a surge in Actos sales after Avandia, a competing diabetes drug from pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, was found to pose an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in 2007 (London-based GlaxoSmithKline has since paid some $6 billion in Avandia-related lawsuits).
The widespread popularity of Actos as a diabetes treatment posed an important question for Actos bladder cancer victims: where would their legal cases be heard? Consolidation of similar cases across the U.S. before a single judge is common in large scale litigation; consolidation saves money and time by streamlining document exchanges and avoiding duplication - it also prevents similarly situated plaintiffs from receiving disparate treatment in court. And, even when consolidated cases are heard in a venue far from an individual plaintiff's home, attorneys who represent clients throughout the United States can help keep their clients from being inconvenienced.
Several venues were proposed by both sides before the federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation sent the Actos cases to the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette, a centralized location in which no other multidistrict litigation is queued. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Doherty, described by the Panel as "an experienced judge," will oversee the pretrial proceedings.
Be Watchful For Bladder Cancer Warning Signs
Blood or a red color in urine, new or worsening urinary urgency, or pain during urination can all be early indicators of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer can be life threatening, especially when treatment is delayed; if you have experienced any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
After assessing your immediate medical needs, contacting a defective drug lawyer is an important next step. If you or a loved one has taken Actos, you may have a legal right to compensation. Contact an attorney today to find out more.
