The diabetes drug Actos (generic: pioglitazone) has been linked to a 40 percent increased risk of developing bladder cancer. It was developed in 1999 to help lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients. Actos’ sales increased dramatically in 2007 when one of its competitors, Avandia, was shown to increase risk of heart attack. Actos is Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ best-selling drug, with sales of over 3 billion last year, despite its health risks.
FDA Acknowledges Actos’ Cancer Risk
On August 4 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety alert and mandated a label change for Actos regarding the risk of bladder cancer. The warning targeted patients who had been taking Actos for more than one year or taking the highest dose. The FDA’s acknowledgment that the use of Actos may lead to a 40 percent increased risk of bladder cancer was based on a study of more than 200,000 patients with type 2 diabetes.
Consolidation of Actos Lawsuits
In August 2011, a motion was filed requesting that all Actos lawsuits be consolidated into a Multidistrict litigation (MDL). On December 1, 2011 a panel of judges in Savannah, Georgia will hold a hearing session to discuss whether Actos lawsuits will be consolidated into an MDL. The purpose of a MDL is to expedite justice and to centralize the proceedings through one court that is familiar with the evidence. An MDL can also benefit the plaintiffs, or those who filed the cases, by allowing their attorney to share evidence and build stronger cases. If the MDL moves forward, any new cases filed by Actos lawyers across the country would likely be moved into the MDL to take part in pretrial litigation.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos, contact CSS Firm for a free case evaluation and consultation. Our experienced team of drug injury lawyers will work closely with you and see to it that you are compensated for your injuries.
