Januvia is a diabetes drug. Diabetes can be fatal and is the fifth-leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Along with Victoza, Byetta, and Janumet, Januvia has been associated with pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, necrotizing pancreatitis, hemorrhaging, heart failure, and death. In 2009, the FDA required Januvia to revise its warning label to include pancreatic and thyroid cancer. Our Januvia lawyers also know that a study by the Journal of American College of Cardiology found that patients using Januvia have an elevated risk of heart failure. Lawsuits have been filed against Merck & Co., the manufacturer. If you suffered injuries as a result of Januvia or another dangerous drug, the experienced product liability lawyers at Moll Law Group are available to help you seek compensation. Billions of dollars have been recovered in cases in which we have been involved.
Januvia is an incretic mimetic that was designed to help the pancreas produce insulin and reduce a Type 2 diabetic's resistance to insulin. When combined with exercise and an appropriate diet, it can reduce the body's blood sugar levels. However, many patients would not have taken Januvia or similar drugs, knowing of the increased risks of pancreatic cancer, which is among the most deadly types of cancer. Patients who suffer cancer or other serious medical conditions due to Januvia may be hospitalized, need long-term care, experience pain and suffering, and struggle financially. A product liability lawsuit with the assistance of a Januvia lawyer may allow them to recover compensation from the manufacturer.
Many of the product liability lawsuits against the manufacturer claim that the benefits of Januvia were over-promoted, with insufficient warnings provided about the risks. In addition to failure to warn, some patients have argued that the drug was defectively designed and that the manufacturer breached product warranties.
Manufacturers are required to provide adequate warnings to consumers about risks associated with their products. Pharmaceutical companies may be held strictly liable for a failure to warn if they fail to provide appropriate warnings, and consumers suffer injuries as a result. Strict liability is a theory that allows consumers to recover compensation even if a defendant used reasonable care in creating or marketing a drug. Not all states permit strict liability. In some states, the consumer must prove the manufacturer's negligence, or a lack of reasonable care.
Many states follow the learned intermediary doctrine. Under this doctrine, a manufacturer discharges its duty to warn consumers by warning their doctors. The rationale behind this rule is that doctors are often in a better position than a manufacturer to know whether a drug is appropriate for a particular patient or not.
Design defect claims require a plaintiff to prove that there is a flaw in the drug's formulation or design that makes it unreasonably dangerous to consumers. In most cases, a plaintiff must also prove that there was an economically feasible alternative design available to the manufacturer.
When you take a pharmaceutical, you expect it to have a beneficial effect. If you developed pancreatic cancer, heart failure, or another serious medical condition after taking Januvia, the product liability attorneys at Moll Law Group are available to help you recover compensation for your injuries. Our firm represents injured consumers throughout the nation, including in states such as California, Florida, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. Call us at 312-462-1700 or use our online form to set up a free consultation with a Januvia attorney.