Wife Sues Janumet Manufacturers Over Husband’s Cancer Death

According to the wrongful death lawsuit, George Arzt was prescribed Janumet by his physician in September of 2008 to help control his blood sugar. In the summer of 2011, his physicians diagnosed Arzt with pancreatic cancer. Despite surgical intervention, Arzt died of Janumet pancreatic cancer in January 2012. The Janumet lawsuit alleges that there is strong evidence that his cancer was connected to his diabetes medication in the form of various studies and data compiled by the United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA

The Janumet cancer lawsuit points out that in September 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a notice that the agency was updating the warnings packaged with Janumet and related drugs to include warnings related to acute pancreatitis. This was based on reports of pancreatitis in patients who took Janumet and related diabetes drugs such as Januvia, Byetta and Victoza — including two extreme cases of necrotizing or hemorrhagic pancreatitis. All forms of pancreatitis can be extremely painful and life-threatening, but these types are even more dangerous.

These Janumet pancreas side effects were reported to the FDA through their Adverse Event Reporting System or AERS. Pancreatitis is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

The Janumet cancer lawsuit also brings up the fact that the FDA published additional data regarding concerns they had with Janumet and similar drugs. The FDA had found evidence of link between these type-2 diabetes drugs and pancreatic cancer. A later study, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal *Gastroenterology* found further evidence of a link between these drugs and pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.

Muriel Arzt’s lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers of Janumet were negligent, fraudulent and broke several consumer protection laws through their actions. The Janumet lawsuit alleges that the defendants knew – or reasonably should have – known about the possible link between Janumet and complications like George Arzt’s pancreatic cancer.

The Janumet cancer lawsuit further alleges that the manufacturers failed to act on this information in a timely or effective matter. This prevented George Arzt and his physicians from having the information they needed to make an informed decision regarding the long-term treatment of his diabetes. Arzt’s Janumet attorney is seeking damages for the plaintiff related to medical costs, loss of earnings, and wrongful death.

The Janumet Cancer Lawsuit is Muriel Arzt, et al. v. Merck & Co Inc., et al., Case No., 3:13-cv-01530-BEN-WMC, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.