Growing Concerns Continue Concerning Januvia

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) is one of three studies to renew concerns about the association of pancreatic cancer and Januvia. The data indicates that Januvia might be even more dangerous than first believed and has triggered mounting concerns for patient safety. Insurance claims, reviewed by the study, showed an increased risk of hospitalization for acute pancreatitis in patients taking Januvia as compared to other diabetes medications. The study also revealed FDA data showing an increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in patients taking incretin mimetics such as Januvia. In regulatory documents obtained by the BMJ under the Freedom of Information Act, the Journal discovered unpublished data indicating “unwanted proliferative or inflammatory pancreatic effects.” In her report, Deborah Cohen, Investigative Editor for BMJ said, “On their own, the individual pieces of unpublished evidence may seem inconclusive, but when considered alongside other emerging and long-standing evidence, a worrying picture emerges, posing serious questions about the safety of this class of drug.” In her report, Cohen goes on to indicate that drug makers did not conduct proper safety studies and that regulators have not even questioned them about these critical studies. Dr. Fiona Godlee, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of BMJ, states that the manufacturers have not been forthcoming about sharing their data, thus keeping doctors and patients inadequately informed about the risks associated with these drugs. She said that lives could be saved if this information were made public, so that patients and doctors could make informed decisions.

Recent Januvia Lawsuit News

Merck, the manufacturer, reports that there have been forty-three Januvia pancreatic cancer lawsuits filed as of July 14, 2013. According to court documents, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) is considering consolidation of all federal Januvia lawsuits into a single federal court for pretrial proceedings. This would include claims involving other diabetes medications in the same incretin mimetics class.   According to court documents, including Januvia pancreatic cancer lawsuits, over fifty product liability claims involving incretin mimetics have been filed in federal courts throughout the U.S. On July 25, the JPML will hear oral arguments on the potential consolidation of those claims. Patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after using the diabetic Januvia may be able to file a lawsuit. To learn more about your rights and legal options, call the Phillips Law Firm today. Our experienced Januvia lawsuit lawyers have represented families across the country in their quest for justice. For a free consultation visit the Phillips Law Firm website http://www.justiceforyou.com or call 1-800-708-6000.