Man Claims Walgreens Sold Toxic Blood Pressure Drugs in New Valsartan Lawsuit

An Illinois man recently filed a valsartan lawsuit against Walgreens, alleging the company sold toxic blood pressure drugs to customers without warning them about the risks.

The plaintiff, Harry S., says that he began taking valsartan at the direction of his doctor back in 2004, and believed that he was taking a drug that was safe to consume. Valsartan is a popular oral blood pressure (hypertension) drug, and is used to prevent negative health effects like stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.

In his lawsuit, however, Harry alleged that Walgreens “materially misrepresented” the safety of the blood pressure drug valsartan, of which various lots were recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2018 after the federal agency detected an impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, in the drug. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, NDMA is considered a “probable human carcinogen”—that is, a substance capable of causing cancer in humans.

According to Harry’s lawsuit, Walgreens knew that the drug was toxic, yet failed to inform customers about this toxicity in the prescription materials.

Unsafe NDMA

When a consumer product is deemed unsafe, the FDA or manufacturer initiate a recall. The recalled valsartan allegedly contained more than 200 times the amount of NDMA considered acceptable by the FDA, which Harry claims placed customers at considerable risk.  He says if he had known about the unsafe levels of NDMA associated with valsartan, he would not have purchased the drug.

Harry’s lawsuit notes that the recalled valsartan tablets contained up to 20,000 nanograms of NDMA. The FDA’s acceptable consumption limit is just 96 nanograms per tablet. Harry claimed that this increase in NDMA content increases a person’s risk of being diagnosed with cancer from one in 100,000 to one in 8,000.

Harry filed his valsartan lawsuit on Feb. 14, 2020, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of himself and all other Walgreens customers in a statewide class who have been similarly affected.

Filing a Valsartan Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has taken valsartan and has since suffered from severe side effects, such as valsartan prostate cancer or liver damage, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with a cancer diagnosis or other serious complications, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Harry’s Valsartan Lawsuit is Case No. 2020CH1884, filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.