Actos Lawsuits Continue to Increase While Attorneys Seek to Consolidate the Cases to One Judge

Dec. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Last week a judicial panel in Savannah, GA listened to the oral arguments for plaintiffs, who have pending lawsuits against Japanese company Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc. (Takeda), the manufacturer of the Type II diabetes drug, Actos, seeking to have all federal Actos claims consolidated and transferred to one presiding judge.  The consolidation avoids document duplications and inconsistent rulings, while also potentially saving on expert testimony.  

Actos, with pioglitazone as its sole ingredient, has been linked to increased risk of bladder cancer.  In June the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required added warnings on the Actos label indicating that the medication may increase the risk of bladder cancer (bladder tumors) when taken for more than a year.  The newly updated drug labels also recommends that healthcare providers should not use pioglitazone in patients with active bladder cancer and should use pioglitazone with caution in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer.   Meanwhile, in June 2011, Germany and France suspended the use of Actos, citing concerns of increased risk of patients developing bladder cancer.

Currently there are lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Western District of New York, Southern District of New York, District of New Jersey, Northern District of Ohio and Central District of California.  All lawsuits allege negligence and failure to warn of the risks associated with the medication.

Actos had sales of $4.6 billion last fiscal year, making it Takeda’s best selling drug, according to Business Week.  

For those who take Actos, bladder cancer symptoms may include: blood in urine, painful urination, frequent small amounts of urination, frequent urinary tract infections, lower back pain, and abdominal back pain.  

Attorney David Ennis recommends that anyone who has taken pioglitazone-containing medications such as Actos, Actoplus or Duetact, and experienced any of these symptoms should first immediately consult with their physician.  Next, the patient should fill out a MedWatch Form at www.fda.gov.  Lastly, patients should seek the opinion of an experienced lawyer to explore their legal rights.

Ennis & Ennis P.A. is offering free nationwide confidential consultations for patients who are taking or have taken Actos, Actoplus or Duetact and suffer these symptoms by calling toll free 1-800-856-6405 or by going to www.ennislaw.com and completing an online case evaluation form.

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is a nationwide law firm with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Washington D.C.  that concentrates its practice in mass torts and represents individuals against pharmaceutical companies, as well as medical device makers.

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. has been representing clients individually since 1986 and has recovered over $100 million in settlements for its clients.

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is also investigating cases involving, Accutane, Avandia, Fosamax, Transvaginal Mesh Devices, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Depuy Hip Recall, Zimmer Hip Recall, Depakote, Reglan, SJS/Dilantin, Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Birth Control Pills.

Remember the law limits the time in which you can file a claim, so don't wait to explore your legal rights.  Call today toll free 1-800-856-6405 or visit www.ennislaw.com.