A Newly-Filed Lawsuit Alleges that Drug Maker, AstraZeneca LP, Hid Links Between the Cholesterol Lowering, Crestor, and Diabetes Risk, Notes Parker Waichman LLP
Port Washington, NY (PRWEB) June 04, 2014 -- Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm that has long been dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers who have suffered injuries due to dangerous drugs comments on a recent lawsuit filed on May 29, 2014 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The case is Gloria Herrera et al. v. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP et al., case number 2:14-cv-04134. The lawsuit involves allegations that AstraZeneca and McKesson deceived consumers being treated with Crestor by hiding research that connected Crestor to diabetes and other illnesses.
In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its advice on statin risks on January 14, 2014, noting that people who are treated with statins may be at an increased risk for elevated blood sugar levels and the development of Type 2 diabetes. The FDA also noted that cognitive impairment—for example, memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion—has been reported by some people who are treated with statins, such as Crestor. The agency also indicated increased risks for muscle damage, known as myopathy, is also associated with statins that include Crestor. The package inserts will be updated with this information.
According to a March 31, 2014 report by NewsMaxHealth, statins are prescribed to help in the prevention of heart disease. The medications lower blood cholesterol levels and help ensure the heart and arteries are free of plaque buildup, which is known to lead to stroke or heart attack. Today, about 25 million Americans take statins.
Crestor has been associated with a number of serious averse health reactions, including ties to increased risks for developing diabetes. “If the allegations that AstraZeneca and McKesson hid adverse reactions associated with Crestor turn out to be true, the drug maker has placed untold numbers of people at risk for elevated sugar levels, Type 2 diabetes, and other serious reactions,” said Gary Falkowitz, Managing Attorney at Parker Waichman LLP. “Our firm continues to pursue lawsuits on behalf of individual who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and other injuries associated with the use of Crestor.”
According to the litigation, plaintiffs allege that AstraZeneca’s and McKesson’s own studies found that Crestor was associated with elevated risks for kidney damage, cardiomyopathy, and heart disease and, knowing this, ensured that Crestor would continue to be prescribed by concealing or presenting biased information. “Defendants well knew that prescribing physicians would not be in a position to know the true risks of Crestor and … would rely upon the misleading information that they promulgated,” the complaint indicated. (Filed May 29, 2014 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California; Gloria Herrera et al. v. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP et al., case number 2:14-cv-04134)
The plaintiffs also allege that they would not have taken Crestor had they been aware of its increased risks for these adverse reactions, according to the complaint, which also indicates that, “Defendants sold or aided and abetted in the sale of Crestor which was and is defective and unreasonably dangerous,” and that, “Defendants knew or should have known that Crestor was, and is, hazardous to human health.” (Filed May 29, 2014 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California; Gloria Herrera et al. v. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP et al., case number 2:14-cv-04134)
A May 29, 2014 CTV News report revealed that a Canadian study also found that, in patients taking statins such as Crestor, there may be an increased likelihood of developing diabetes and that patients who had suffered a stroke or heart attack may be at a 15 percent increased risk of developing diabetes within two years of starting treatment. The study was conducted by researchers from the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) and appears in the British Medical Journal. The researchers suggested that physicians exercise caution when prescribing high potency statins, such as Crestor. “Doctors need to consider the possibility that high doses of statins will increase the risk of diabetes in such patients,” said Dr. Colin Dormuth in a statement, according to CTV News. “The health consequences of a diabetes diagnosis can be significant,” noted co-author Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe. “Following a heart attack or stroke, doctors are more likely to prescribe a high-potency statin, but a lower-strength statin may be a better choice for many patients.”
Parker Waichman LLP offers free lawsuit consultations to victims of the high potency statin, Crestor. If you or a loved one experienced complications following Crestor treatment, please visit the Firm’s Crestor page. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO.
Gary Falkowitz, Parker Waichman LLP, http://yourlawyer.com, +1 (800) 529-4636, [email protected]
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