Evidence of Actos Bladder Cancer Prompts Lawsuits

Takeda Was Likely Aware of Actos Bladder Cancer Risks

Evidence suggests that Takeda was aware of that Actos can cause bladder tumors and cancer back in 2003, when executives from the company surveyed doctors about their likelihood of recommending a diabetes drug that had a bladder cancer warning on the label. Plaintiffs in the Actos lawsuits also accuse the company of being more concerned with their drug sales than they were with the health of consumers.

In 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Actos label to include a warning that patients who use the medication for more than one year would face an increased risk of bladder cancer. Other studies have supported this link. In 2012, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that patients who took Actos for more than two years were two times as likely to develop bladder cancer.

Expert Testifies Actos Caused Plaintiff’s Bladder Cancer

The first Actos trial is currently underway in Los Angeles. Jack Cooper, the plaintiff in this lawsuit, had taken Actos to control his diabetes from 2006 until 2011, when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He has been told that he will likely die within seven months.

During the trial, Dr. Norm Smith, a professor of surgery and urology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, testified that, in his opinion, the plaintiff’s bladder cancer was directly linked to Actos. Other testimony suggested that Takeda prioritized the success of their product over the health of consumers.

Increasing Number of Actos Lawsuits

More than 1,000 Actos injury lawsuits have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL). The pretrial proceedings will be heard by a federal judge in Louisiana. The first federal Actos injury lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in November 2014.

Many people have filed Actos lawsuits, alleging that Takeda failed to provide adequate warning about the severe risks posed by the diabetes medication. These plaintiffs claim they would not have used the product had they known about the risks. They have suffered serious, sometimes fatal, Actos bladder injuries.

If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries. Visit the Actos Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation for more information about your legal rights. If someone you love has died from Actos bladder cancer, you may have the option to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Takeda. Contact an Actos lawyer to learn more about your legal options.