Zyprexa lawsuits reach $4.6 billion for big drug company

2009-01-29 15:11:55 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Drug Related Injuries, Justice News Flash)

Wiki Image:Eli Lilly may have to pay additional $2 billion in lawsuits

Eli Lilly, the maker of Zyprexa, faces possibly $2 billion in lawsuits.

Chicago, IL (JusticeNewsFlash.com)–Recently as reported by JusticNewsFlash.com, Eli Lilly & Co., a major drug manufacturer agreed to pay $2.6 billion on January 15, 2009 to settle state and federal government allegations of illegal marketing and sales practices. Bloomberg reported today, Lilly, based in Indianapolis, is continues to face more lawsuits for its illegal practices in marketing its world wide blockbuster medication, Zyprexa. The company has previously agreed to pay $1.2 billion to settle approximately 31,000 injured patients’ lawsuits.

The previous settlement agreements do not include cases brought by 12 states and a class action lawsuit led by lawyers representing pension funds, insurance companies and labor unions. The class action group is seeking up to $6.8 billion in compensation for damages caused by Lilly’s failure to follow federal and state guidelines by knowingly marketing Zyprexa for off-label uses. Lilly apparently withheld damaging information regarding the harmful side effects of Zyprexa, like diabetes and sudden cardiac death. The company further encouraged sales of the drug for unapproved uses in high risk populations like the elderly and children.

The states attorneys and legal teams are seeking reimbursement for the costs of prescriptions and costs to Medicaid programs through the court system. Lilly has already pled guilty to a criminal charge of illegal marketing in the recent settlement in January of this year.

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