Actos Lawsuit Alleges Bladder Cancer

After allegedly contracting Actos bladder cancer, Alfred Sforzo and his wife Ruth Sforzo on January 4, 2012 filed an Actos lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio. The plaintiffs named Eli Lilly and Takeda Pharmaceuticals as defendants in the case, and allege that Mr. Sforzo's bladder cancer is directly linked to the diabetes medication.

Actos Lawsuit Alleges Failure to Warn

The plaintiffs Ruth and Alfred Sforzo ask the court for both compensatory and punitive damages for injuries, specifically Actos bladder cancer, suffered by Mr. Sforzo. According to the lawsuit, Mr. Sforzo allegedly began taking Actos to treat his type II diabetes in 2004. Sforzo was diagnosed with Actos bladder cancer in May 2005. Through their Actos lawyer, the Sforzos allege that the drug's manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, committed "failure to warn." In other words, the lawsuit alleges that the drug company did not warn the public or medical professionals, who would in turn inform consumers, of the increased risk of bladder cancer associated with taking Actos for more than 12 months.

Study Reveals Link Between Actos and Bladder Cancer

In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Actos for use. Actos, which also goes by the generic name pioglitazone, is one of the bestselling prescription drugs in the country; it is estimated that Actos generates an estimated $4.8 billion in annual revenue. However, evidence exists to link the prolonged use of Actos with bladder cancer. In 2011, a study investigated reports to the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System and revealed that there is "a definite signal for bladder cancer associated with (Actos) use" after a period of 6 to 24 months.

FDA Studies Links to Actos Bladder Cancer

In September 2011, the FDA announced plans for a longitudinal exposure study into the link between pioglitazone, or Actos, and increased risks of bladder cancer. Unfortunately, the Sforzos, and other alleged victims of Actos bladder cancer, cannot afford to wait for the FDA's findings.