Blog Post

Eli Lilly Lawsuit Begins


March 07, 2008
Topic: Pharmaceutical Liability

Opening arguments by lawyers for the state of Alaska in the case against Eli Lilly claimed that the Indiana-based drug maker downplayed the risks of its anti-schizophrenia drug Zyprexa, leading to weight gain and diabetes in patients.

In January of this year, Eli Lilly and Co. settled a total of 900 personal injury claims against Zyprexa, although the amount of the settlements wasn't revealed. Of these settlements, 5 were cases that were set to go to trial in February. In all, Lilly has settled 25,000 cases relating to Zyprex, with about 1,100 cases remaining unsettled.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs in these cases argued that Lilly company executives knew of the potential dangers of Zyprexa, but deliberately played down the side effects so sales of the antipsychotic drug wouldn't be affected. The lawsuit that has just begun in Alaska seeks to make Lilly pay for the medical expenses of Medicaid patients who have developed diabetes after taking Zyprexa.

Zyprexa is prescribed for patients with schizophrenia, and many of these patients are unemployed and dependant on Medicaid for their treatment.

The Alaska case is important because it is the first lawsuit relating to Zyprexa that has made its way to trial. For a long time now, Lilly, like many other pharmaceutical companies, has chosen to buy its way into silence. It has chosen to settle for undisclosed amounts. So far the company has spent a staggering $1.2 billion on settling cases. This case is being closely watched across the country as the lawyers for the state seek to prove that the company was aware of the potential side effects of the drug and pushed through with it anyway.

Eli Lilly's lawyers defended Zyprexa, saying the benefits far outweighed the potential risks.

If the state wins, it could bring hundreds of millions in damages for the patients whose medication it has provided.

Another allegation being probed is that Lily encouraged doctors between 2000 and 2003 to prescribe Zyprexa for those patients who had mild bipolar disorders, and age dementia. Zyprexa, with its side effects, is recommended only for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Although doctors can prescribe medicines for any reason once they have been on the market and approved by the FDA, a drug company is not allowed to promote the drugs for purposes other than those approved by the FDA. A blind greed for profits is the only way you can explain this company's behavior. Unfortunately we're seeing such behavior more and more often in this country from the biggest names in the pharmaceutical business. Companies flout the laws to suit their purposes, and buy silence when the heat gets intense.

Meanwhile patients who have contracted diabetes as a result of Zyprexa, already mentally ill people who have now to contend with a life-altering disease like diabetes, will have to live with this condition through no fault of their own. This manipulation of innocent patients by drug companies for their own profits has to stop somewhere. Let's hope Alaska shows the way.

If you have suffered adverse side effects of a dangerous drug, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury lawyer. Contact an attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.