Colorado Widow Sues Merck Over Husband’s Pancreatic Cancer Death

Leeta Anderson of Colorado has sued Merck, Amylin and other drug companies that produced Byetta and Januvia, alleging that the drugs cause her husband, Edward Anderson, to develop and die from pancreatic cancer. The Januvia lawsuit was first filed in California federal court on October 7. 

According to the Januvia lawsuit, Edward Anderson suffered from type-2 diabetes, a disorder that rendered him unable to control the amount of sugar in his blood. Edward Anderson began taking Januvia to treat his condition in September 2010 and was later prescribed Byetta in January 2011. Both drugs were prescribed by the decedent’s physician, and treatment continued until at least September 2012. 

In August 2012, Edward Anderson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Less than a year after the initial diagnosis, Anderson died from the cancer. The pancreatic cancer lawsuit alleges that Anderson’s cancer was caused by Januvia and Byetta.

The text of the Januvia lawsuit cites peer-reviewed research that asserts a link exists between cancer of the thyroid and pancreas and Januvia, Byetta and related drugs. This research included epidemiological studies, animal trials and postmarket surveillance. The Januvia lawsuit alleges that the manufactures of these drugs knew, or reasonably should have known, about the risks associated with these drugs yet continued to market and sell them, actively concealing the risk from patients like Edward Anderson and health care professionals. The Januvia lawsuit also asserts that Edward Anderson would never have used the drug, nor would his physician have prescribed it, had they been aware of the risk associated with this class of diabetes drugs.

The Januvia pancreatic cancer lawsuit is formally titled Leeta Anderson, Individually and as the Successor-In-Interest of the Estate of Edward Anderson, Deceased v. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-02394-AJB-MDD, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

If you or someone you care about were diagnosed with cancer after taking Byetta, Januvia or related drugs, you have almost certainly been through a challenging ordeal. Pancreatic cancer is a particularly pernicious form of cancer, and often goes undiagnosed until it has reached the final stages of the disease. Because of this, most patients die within a year of their diagnosis, which leaves their loved ones to cope not only with the emotional toll of their loss, but financial challenges as well. These financial expenses can include medical costs, final expenses and the loss of their loved one’s income. In such a situation, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and depressed. 

It is important to remember that regardless of the challenges you have found yourself facing, you still have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain a measure of control over your situation. You can start by visiting the Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Januvia, Byetta, Victoza Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Here, you can enter information about your situation for a review by a legal expert with a background in this type of litigation. This initial consultation is completely free of charge, and from here, you can receive additional guidance on the best steps to take in your specific situation.