New Jersey Vioxx Victim Awarded $4.5 Million

Recently, a New Jersey jury awarded a man and wife $4.5 million in damages because they were the victims of Vioxx, a drug produced by the company Merck. The jury felt that the company failed to provide warnings about the drug's risks and was responsible when the man suffered from a heart attack as a result and broke his hip and was forced to be dependent on a wheelchair.

John McDarby is the 77 year old victim in this case who had used Vioxx for a period of time that extended over four years. This case has the potential to be a devastating precedent in that Mr. McDarby is the first of many who used the drug over an extended time period. This amount of $4.5 million was awarded merely for pain and suffering and the jury has yet to set the amount to be awarded for the plaintiff from Merck that covers punitive damages.

Allegations of Improper Marketing of Zyprexa Haunt Eli Lilly & Co

A new wave of Zyprexa lawsuits taking aim Eli Lilly & Co allege that the popular antipsychotic medication has caused serious damage due to diabetic side effects. The new suits are due to the government’s recent investigation of off-label pharmaceutical marketing practices.

The company was sued earlier in the year by the states of West Virginia and Alaska, who cited improper marketing of Zyprexa. The two states both claimed that they lost millions when patients served by state sponsored medical programs developed diabetic complications and other side effects. The state of West Virginia is even asking for $70 million to recover purchasing costs, following similar action by Louisiana in 2004.

The sales of Zyprexa soared to $4.2 billion in 2005.

Lawsuits Link Seroquel to Pancreatitis and Other Complications

The antipsychotic medication Seroquel has been connected to pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas, in several recent lawsuits. The suits allege that AstraZeneca, the maker of Seroquel failed to warn consumers about this danger when it hit the American market in 1997.

The drug was formulated to treat facets of bipolar disease and schizophrenia caused by imbalances in serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that help to regulate movement and mood.

One St. Louis victims is suing the drug maker for $750,000 in damages plus the cost of legal fees because of such adverse side effects. Other suits claim that Seroquel usage led to diabetic complications, hyperglycemia, comas, and even fatalities.