Takeda Responds to Verdict in Diabetes Drug Case
Expresses Continued Confidence in ACTOS
DEERFIELD, Ill. and OSAKA, Japan, Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. announced today that in the case of Richard F. Myers, et al. v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, et al. (Case No. 13-C-315) the jury found that plaintiffs failed to prove that ACTOS (pioglitazone HCl) was unsafe or that Takeda was negligent. However, the jury found in favor of plaintiffs on their claim for spoliation of evidence and awarded $155,000 in compensatory damages but rejected the claim for punitive damages. Takeda is considering its options, including post-trial motions and an appeal of the spoliation issue. The trial began on October 20, 2014, in Circuit Court of Berkeley County, West Virginia, before Judge Michael Lorensen.
"Patient safety is a critical priority for Takeda, and we believe the company acted responsibly with regard to ACTOS," said Kenneth D. Greisman, senior vice president, general counsel, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. "Takeda is confident in the therapeutic benefits of ACTOS and its importance as a treatment for type 2 diabetes."
Judgments were entered in Takeda's favor in five prior ACTOS trials and Takeda is challenging the outcomes in two other ACTOS trials.
Indication for ACTOS
ACTOS (pioglitazone) is a prescription medicine used with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. ACTOS is not for the treatment of type 1 "juvenile" diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in blood or urine).
Important Safety Information
WARNING: HEART FAILURE
ACTOS can cause or worsen heart failure. ACTOS can cause the body to keep extra fluid (fluid retention), which leads to swelling (edema) and weight gain. Extra body fluid can make some heart problems worse or lead to heart failure. Heart failure means the heart does not pump blood well enough. Patients should not take ACTOS if they have severe heart failure. If patients have heart failure with symptoms such as shortness of breath or swelling, even if these symptoms are not severe, ACTOS may not be right for them. Patients should call their doctor right away if they experience swelling or fluid retention (especially in the ankles or legs), shortness of breath or trouble breathing (especially when lying down), an unusually fast increase in weight, or unusual tiredness.
ACTOS may not be right for everyone. Serious side effects may happen to people taking ACTOS.
Patients should not take ACTOS if they are allergic to any of its ingredients.
ACTOS may cause liver problems. Patients should call their doctor right away if they experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual or unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these could be symptoms of liver damage.
Women are at higher risk of having broken bones (fractures) while taking ACTOS.
There may be an increased chance of having bladder cancer when patients take ACTOS. Patients should not take ACTOS if they are receiving treatment for bladder cancer. Patients should tell their doctor right away if they have blood or a red color in the urine, have an increased need to urinate, or have pain while they urinate, as these may be symptoms of bladder cancer.
When taking ACTOS with insulin or other anti-diabetic medications (especially sulfonylureas), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur. Lightheadedness, shakiness, dizziness, or hunger may mean that a patient's blood sugar is too low. Patients should talk to their doctor if low blood sugar is a problem for them.
Some patients have experienced visual changes while taking ACTOS. If patients experience vision problems, patients should consult their doctor immediately. Patients should have their eyes checked regularly.
If a woman is of childbearing age, but does not have monthly periods, she should talk to her doctor before taking ACTOS, as it could increase her chance of becoming pregnant.
It is not known if ACTOS can harm an unborn or nursing baby. Patients should talk to their doctor if they are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
Adverse Reactions
The most common side effects (>5%) of ACTOS include cold-like symptoms, headache, sinus infection, muscle pain, and sore throat.
Drug Interactions
Patients should tell their doctor about all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements they take. ACTOS and some other medicines can affect each other. Patients may need to have their dose of ACTOS or certain other medicines changed.
Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the accompanying Complete Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for ACTOS.
About Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. are subsidiaries of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. The respective companies currently market oral diabetes, insomnia, rheumatology, and gastroenterology treatments and seek to bring innovative products to patients through a pipeline that includes compounds in development for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, neurology and other conditions. To learn more about these Takeda companies, visit www.takeda.us.
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SOURCE Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
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