Actos Bladder Cancer Victim Sues Takeda for Failure to Warn

Hultz alleges in the Actos lawsuit that he began taking the medication in 2006 and stopped after he had been diagnosed with cancer in November of 2010. Had Takeda adequately monitored adverse event reports as well as studies conducted prior to and after FDA approval of Actos in 1999, he would have been aware of Actos side effects and not taken the medication, according to the Actos lawsuit.

A year prior to Hultz beginning treatment and five years before his diagnosis, a three-year study indicated that there was a “statistically significant demonstrated higher percentage” of Actos bladder cancer incidences compared to patients who were taking other type-2 diabetes medications. Takeda allegedly failed to acknowledge this data, including information that the percentages increased after at least one year of using the drug, according to the lawsuit.

The Actos cancer lawsuit notes that the FDA issued a warning June 15, 2011, indicating that there was an increased risk of bladder cancer in long-term Actos users. In August of that year the label was updated to include information about the likelihood of these Actos side effects. In Europe, agencies similar to the FDA recommended using other treatments, but no U.S. Actos recall was issued.

Counts against Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Hultz’s Actos cancer lawsuit include negligence, strict products liability, breaches of express and implied warranties, fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and deceit.

Had the company adequately informed patients and made public the results of studies, fewer men and women would have been diagnosed with Actos bladder cancer, according to the lawsuit.

The Actos cancer lawsuit is Ronald Hultz v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., et al, Case No. 13-cv-02712, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana.

Men and women who took Actos developed cancer may not have realized that they were at risk because of labeling or other concerns. However, legal options are available to those who have dealt with Actos side effects. Learn more about the opportunity to file a lawsuit against Takeda when you visit the Actos Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. You can fill out the short form there for a free case evaluation by an Actos injury lawyer and determine your eligibility to pursue damages.