Canadian Class Action Lawsuit Claims Zyprexa Causes Diabetes
Source: Canada NewsWire Group
Published: February 02, 2005
A British Columbia man last week filed a class action lawsuit against drug maker Eli Lilly, alleging the company “purposefully minimized and understated health hazards and risks associated with Zyprexa.”
The Plaintiff alleges that his use of Zyprexa resulted in diabetes.
“Eli Lilly, through literature and oral statements, deceived potential users of Zyprexa and their physicians by relaying positive information, including testimonials from satisfied users and by manipulating statistics to suggest widespread acceptability, while downplaying the known adverse and serious health effects of the drug,” Plaintiff’s attorney Jim Poyner said. “Eli Lilly falsely and fraudulently withheld relevant information from potential users of Zyprexa.”
Total sales in Canada were valued at $223 million in 2002 and over $4 billion worldwide in 2003.
In an October 16, 2003 press release, Eli Lilly disclosed a Health Canada order directing it to include updated information on hyperglycemia and diabetes on the labels of their antipsychotics.
Under B.C.’s “Class Proceedings Act,” a suit is brought in the name of one individual as “representative of a class.” Each of these actions cites the case of one person, but if certified by the Supreme Court, they will represent and potentially benefit everyone in the province who has suffered the negative consequences of using either Celebrex or Zyprexa.
The Diabetic Alliance helps all individuals suffering from Diabetes who are on Medicare and would like their Diabetic Supplies Testing Meters delivered to their home at little or no cost.
