JUDGES RULE AGAINST CONSOLIDATING LIPITOR LITIGATION

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPMD) has rejected a request to consolidate the growing number of cases against Pfizer Inc. – manufacturer of the controversial cholesterol drug Lipitor – into multidistrict litigation.

The judges determined that there are not enough Lipitor diabetes lawsuits pending in different U.S. District Courts to centralize proceedings in Multi District Litigation (MDL).

According to CaseyGerry partner Wendy M. Behan, who handles pharmaceutical and product liability litigation, cases like the Lipitor lawsuit are often consolidated in an MDL in order to speed up the trial process.

“The Lipitor lawsuits contend  that Pfizer has failed to warn consumers of the risk for developing diabetes associated with the drug. Behan said. “We are currently evaluating cases from individuals who may have been injured through its use.”

Lipitor is a statin – a cholesterol lowering medication – associated with an increased risk of diabetes for women who take the medication. Study Results

Most Lipitor lawsuit claims involve females who allegedly developed type 2 diabetes while taking the popular drug.

Additionally, Lipitor and other cholesterol-reducing drugs have been linked to other side effects such as muscle, kidney, and liver damage.

Following studies revealing the link between Lipitor and the development of type 2 diabetes, the FDA has begun to require manufacturers of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to cite risks on their warning labels. FDA issues new warning on Lipitor, Zocor, other statins

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who take Lipitor or other statins to prevent heart disease, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has important safety information on these cholesterol-lowering medications.

FDA Expands Advice on Statin Risks