DePuy Files Motion to Limit Punitive Damages

By H. Matthew Taylor on Posted in DePuy ASR®, DePuy Pinnacle®, Medical Devices

As we previously reported, DePuy recalled its ASR hip replacement device after studies allegedly revealed the device had a higher-than-normal failure rate.  Currently, there are thousands of cases pending across the country related to the ASR device.

Counsel for DePuy Orthopaedics filed a motion in the federal litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in May 2013, to apply the punitive damages rules of the plaintiffs’ home states.  DePuy’s counsel filed the motion in hopes of limiting a potentially high punitive damage award .

If you have had a hip replacement, which used the DePuy ASR or DePuy Pinnacle devices, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the DePuy manufacturers.

Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Fined for Anti-Competitive Scheme

By Martin P. Schrama on Posted in Defective Drugs, Plavix®

As we have previously reported, Plavix®, manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb (collectively, “Defendants”), is a blood thinner prescribed to prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clotting. However, the users of Plavix® have alleged various forms of severe side-effects. Reportedly, these side-effects include: gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebral bleeding, bleeding ulcers, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), heart attack, stroke and death.

Plavix® is the second most commonly prescribed drug on the U.S. market to prevent heart attacks and stroke.  The medication, known as a “clopidogrel,” is a blood thinner that belongs to a category of drugs called antiplatelets.  The drug works to prevent blood clots.

As reported by Bloomberg, the French-based Sanofi received 2.07 billion in sales from Plavix® last year.  In 2008, France’s national health system paid 625 million euros on the drug—the most of any pharmaceutical.  Sanofi was recently fined 40.6 million euros ($52.8 million) by France’s largest competition regulator for anti-competitive actions.  Sanofi had been urging doctors to prescribe Plavix® instead of the cheaper generic versions.  Sanofi urged doctors to write prescriptions that the generic version of Plavix® was ineffective and that the generic could not be substituted.  Additionally, Sanofi was urging pharmacists to use Sanofi’s own generic, rather than one from a competitor.

If you feel you have experienced any side-effects from taking Plavix®, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort/Pharmaceutical Litigation attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the Plavix® manufacturers.

Mirena Litigation Centralized in New Jersey State Court

By Stefanie Colella-Walsh on Posted in Medical Devices, Mirena®

On May 13, 2013, a Notice to the Bar was issued by Judge Glenn A. Grant, Acting Administrator of the Courts, advising that an application had been made, pursuant to Directive #7-09, “Revised Mass Tort Guidelines,” requesting designation of all New Jersey state-court litigation involving Mirena Intrauterine device (IUD) as a multicounty litigation and assignment for centralized management in Bergen County.  The federal cases have already been consolidated in the in the Southern District of New York. All New Jersey cases shall be assigned for to Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Bergen County, New Jersey, who will be overseeing all aspects of pretrial discovery.

As we have previously reported, women across the country have alleged serious injuries resulting from their use of Mirena IUD.  These complications include device expulsion, device dislocation, perforation and vaginal hemorrhage that may require hospitalization or surgery.

If you feel you have experienced any side-effects from using the Mirena IUD, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort/Pharmaceutical Litigation attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against Bayer.

Motion to Consolidate Incretin Mimetic Cases into One Multidistrict Litigation Currently Pending

By Craig S. Hilliard on Posted in Byetta®, Januvia®/Janumet® and Victoza®, Defective Drugs

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have recently determined that a number of incretin mimetic diabetes medications like Byetta, Januvia/Janumet and Victoza could be linked to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

A motion to consolidate the incretin mimetic cases into one MDL is currently pending. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) will likely hear oral argument, if necessary, this summer or fall.[1] If granted, the MDL will likely be venued in the Southern District of California where Judge Anthony J. Battaglia is already overseeing a number of cases. Plaintiffs have alleged that the manufacturers knew of the cancer risk associated with the incretin mimetics, but failed to disclose it to the medical community and/or consumers. Reports indicate there are approximately 500 cases ready for filing.  It is expected that there could eventually be thousands of plaintiffs nationwide.

If you feel you have experienced any side-effects from taking Byetta, Januvia/Janumet or Victoza, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort/Pharmaceutical Litigation attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the Byetta, Januvia/Janumet or Victoza manufacturers.

 

[1] One report indicates that the defendant manufacturers have consented to MDL status in the Southern District of California.

Incretin Mimetic Medications Byetta, Januvia/Janumet and Victoza Can Cause Substantial Injury

By Kevin M. Hart on Posted in Byetta®, Januvia®/Janumet® and Victoza®, Defective Drugs

There are an estimated 25 million people in the United States with diabetes with an estimated $245 billion a year in diabetes-related health costs.  A number of drugs have been introduced to treat diabetes patients and time has shown that certain types of these drugs can cause substantial injury.

Byetta (Exenatide), manufactured by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, in association with Eli Lilly and Co., entered the market in 2005 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Byetta is a type of incretin mimetic that is administered as a subcutaneous injection of the abdomen, thigh or arm within 60 minutes of a person’s first and last meal of the day (i.e. two injections a day). Byetta is widely prescribed and made $710 million in 2010 and is expected to surpass $1 billion in sales by 2015.

Januvia/Janumet (Sitagliptin) was developed and marketed by Merck & Co. as an oral anti-hyperglycemic beginning in 2006.  It is an enzyme-inhibiting drug that helps control blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics. Januvia generated sales of more than $4 billion last year alone.

Victoza (Liraglutide), developed and manufactured by Novo Nordisk, was approved for sale and use in January 2010 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Victoza is a type of incretin mimetic that is administered as a once-daily injection. It has enjoyed strong market support, selling an estimated $1 billion in 2011. Sales reached nearly $750 million in the first half of 2012.

Recently, researchers at Johns Hopkins University determined that these medications could be linked to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, leading to an FDA warning. The FDA is currently working with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases and the National Cancer Institute to determine whether incretin mimetic medications should be pulled from the market altogether.

If you feel you have experienced any side-effects from taking Byetta, Januvia/Janumet or Victoza, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort/Pharmaceutical Litigation attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the Byetta, Januvia/Janumet or Victoza manufacturers.

Warning Added to Pradaxa for Blood Condition

By H. Matthew Taylor on Posted in Defective Drugs, Pradaxa®

As we have previously reported, the use of Pradaxa has been linked to serious injury.  There are nearly 600 cases currently pending in federal court.  The lawsuits allege that Pradaxa, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc., has resulted in devastating and sometimes fatal outcomes.  Pradaxa is a blood thinner that was marketed to replace warfarin, a commonly used anticoagulant.  Unfortunately, there is no readily-available antidote for the internal bleeding that can sometimes occur in patients treated with Pradaxa.

The maker of the drug, Boehringer Ingelheim, recently updated label warnings of Pradaxa to include the risk of a blood platelet disorder.   The label warns of an increased risk of thrombocytopenia, a drop in blood platelets that can cause internal bleeding.  Many of the current individuals involved in the Pradaxa litigation have experienced internal bleeding.  You can read the updated label warning here.

The devastating consequences of Pradaxa use will likely continue. If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects after taking Pradaxa, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Faces out Metal on Metal Design

By Martin P. Schrama on Posted in DePuy ASR®, DePuy Pinnacle®, Medical Devices

The New York Times reports that the orthopedic unit of Johnson & Johnson, DePuy, will be phasing out its metal on metal hip devices.  DePuy, makers of the ASR and Pinnacle hip devices, currently faces approximately 14,000 lawsuits nationwide.  These cases are currently pending in state and federal courts.

In a statement, Depuy pointed to two factors behind its decision to drop the all-metal Pinnacle: 1) sharply declining surgeon demand for all-metal devices and 2) a recent ruling by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affecting such products.  DePuy will completely phase out the metal on metal device by the end of 2014.

If you have had a hip replacement, which used the DePuy ASR or DePuy Pinnacle devices, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the DePuy manufacturers.

Federal Court Sets Initial Conference in Mirena Federal Lawsuit

By Stefanie Colella-Walsh on Posted in Medical Devices, Mirena®

The Mirena Intrauterine device (IUD) is a hormonal device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus for long-term birth control. A T-shaped plastic frame releases a type of progestin that prevents sperm from reaching or fertilizing an egg. Originally, the device was marketed to prevent pregnancy for up to five years after insertion. However, women across the country have experienced serious injuries from the use of Mirena IUD.  These complications include device expulsion, device dislocation and vaginal hemorrhage that may require hospitalization or surgery. Some studies estimate that close to 50,000 adverse incidents have been reported to the FDA from Mirena alone.

The Hon. Cathy Seibel, U.S.D.J., presides over the federal multi-district litigation (MDL 2434) in the Southern District of New York addressing claims against the manufacturers and/or distributors of Mirena.  Judge Seibel held a case management conference on May 17, 2013, wherein the parties discussed various scheduling and discovery issues. Following the conference, Judge Seibel also entered an Order selecting Plaintiffs’ Liaison and Co-Lead Counsel, who will assist in streamlining the federal litigation. By June 17, 2013, plaintiffs’ counsel must submit their proposals for the appointment of Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.

If you feel you have experienced any side-effects from using the Mirena IUD, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort/Pharmaceutical Litigation attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against Bayer.

New Study Suggests Plavix May Increase the Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke

By Craig S. Hilliard on Posted in Defective Drugs, Plavix®

Plavix®, marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, is the second most commonly prescribed drug on the U.S. market to prevent heart attacks and stroke.  The medication, known as a “clopidogrel,” is a blood thinner that belongs to a category of drugs called antiplatelets.  The drug works to prevent blood clots.

 A recent study by the Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) concludes that Plavix® offers no further benefits than other competing antiplatelet medications and may actually increase the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.  Previous studies have discussed the harm of this common combination of Plavix® and aspirin.

As we have previously reported, Plavix® litigation continues to proceed in New Jersey State and Federal courts.   If you feel you have experienced any side-effects from taking Plavix®, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort/Pharmaceutical Litigation attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the Plavix® manufacturers.

Pradaxa Manufacturer Ordered to Produce Employee Records

By Kevin M. Hart on Posted in Defective Drugs, Pradaxa®

As we have previously reported, the use of Pradaxa has been linked to serious injury.  There are nearly 600 cases currently pending in federal court.  The lawsuits allege that Pradaxa, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc., has resulted in devastating and sometimes fatal outcomes.  Pradaxa is a blood thinner that was marketed to replace warfarin, a commonly used anticoagulant.  Unfortunately, there is no readily-available antidote for the internal bleeding that can sometimes occur in patients treated with Pradaxa.

Plaintiffs’ counsel in the Multi District Litigation (MDL) pending in Chicago, Illinois has successfully argued for the production of certain Boehringer Ingelheim’s employee personnel records.  The recent Court Order directs the company to disclose employee reviews and bonuses related to Pradaxa for company witnesses that played a role in the development, approval or marketing of the drug.

The devastating consequences of Pradaxa use will likely continue. If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects after taking Pradaxa, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.