Update on Actos Lawsuits for Texas Consumers as of December 30, 2011

The popular diabetes drug Actos has been shown to cause bladder cancer in some patients who take the drug. Earlier this year, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health statement about the risks of contracting bladder cancer while taking Actos.

Lawsuits have been filed across the United States by plaintiffs alleging that Actos’ manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, failed to adequately warn consumers about the risk of contracting bladder cancer.

A hearing by a U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation was held earlier this month to determine whether Actos lawsuits should be consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) lawsuit. An MDL lawsuit allows all of the lawsuits to be consolidated into one court, but gives each case the right to retain its individual status.

On December 30, 2011, the federal Judicial Panel consolidated the lawsuits and sent them to be heard before the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Doherty will be overseeing the pre-trial proceedings.

The panel ruled that “Centralization in the Western District of Louisiana will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation.”

The new Actos MDL will streamline pre-trial proceedings, which will make litigation more cost effective. Lawsuits already filed may be returned to the court in which they were originally filed after pre-trial proceedings are finished.

Van Wey Law will be posting regular updates on the status of the Actos MDL.

If you or a loved one took Actos and suffered bladder cancer, experienced dangerous drug attorney Kay Van Wey may be able to help you. Call Van Wey Law today at (214) 329-1350 or toll free at (800) 489-5082.