Man Sues Takeda, Eli Lilly for Alleged Actos-Related Bladder Cancer

According to the lawsuit,  at no point in time was Rosenblum aware of the possibility that he may develop bladder cancer, nor were his physicians aware of its side effects either. Additionally, the lawsuit said that neither defendant company made any effort to notify him of this, nor were there any mentioning of bladder cancer on the Actos’ warning label.

Rosenblum states that each company had the responsibility to warn him and other patients using this medication, of the possible bladder cancer, because he and other patients have no choice but to rely on the good faith of the labels and medical information that is available to their physicians.

The plaintiff is suing both companies for negligence, misrepresenting a product, false advertising, and concealing information.

Overview of Actos Complications

Actos was first approved by the FDA in July 1999, to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus. It is manufactured and developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and is distributed in the American market by Eli Lilly & Company, and is a member of insulin-sensitizing diabetes medications called, thiazolidinediones (TZDs). While a popular drug in the United States and other countries, the drug has come under recent scrutiny for having a heavy association with bladder cancer. Over the years, more and more people have submitted injury reports to the FDA, indicating that they had developed bladder cancer after taking Actos for more than twelve months.

A recent study published in 2011, in the America Diabetes Association, observed the correlation between Actos patients and the occurrence of bladder cancer. This study observed FDA injury reports from 2004 to 2009, and found that there was a significant correlation between the development of bladder cancer and Actos. The study did not make any conclusive evidence, but was enough to spur the FDA to give a public warning about the drug several months later.

On June 15, 2011, the FDA publicly announced that using Actos for more than one year may increase the chances of developing bladder cancer in patients. The announcement indicated that the main ingredient in Actos, pioglitazone, was the main cause of concern and suspicion in the FDA. While it is currently unknown as to why this ingredient may be causing this in patients, the correlation in scientific evidence is difficult to refute, according to most medical experts. Conclusively, the FDA announced that patients were 40% more likely to develop bladder cancer if they took Actos for more than a year.

At this time, the current Actos warning label does not mention bladder cancer as a possible side effect, and is therefore insufficient to most medical and legal experts.

Actos Litigation Movement

For over ten years, the defendant companies have allegedly withheld vital information that could have prevented thousands of patients from developing bladder cancer. This has lead to a multidistrict litigation (MDL) movement against the defendant companies. Rosenblum’s case is a part of this MDL, and is currently still in litigation process.

In Re: Actos Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 6:11-md-2299, in the United States District Court of Western Louisiana.

File an Actos Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of an Actos Bladder Cancer development you have legal options. Please visit the Actos Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned Actos lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The bladder cancer attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.