The number of Benicar lawsuits is increasing in the United States. Many of these claims allege the drug manufacturers failed to warn consumers. Those who have been affected by the effects of Benicar can seek compensation for the costs of medical care, hospital bills, lost work time, and anguish. Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories have not yet admitted liability. However, they are not denying the link between the drug and sprue-like enteropathy.
Benicar causes sprue-like enteropathy
Thousands of people have been affected by a dangerous side effect of the angiotensin-receptor blocker Benicar. The drug is sometimes given in combination with other blood pressure medications. The drug was approved for use in 2002 and is currently the only marketed ARB. The drug’s manufacturer, Daiichi Sankyo, also manufactures Benicar. Benicar has been linked to sprue-like enteropathy, a severe gastrointestinal disorder that resembles a celiac disease. It can lead to intestinal damage and life-threatening complications.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic identified 22 patients who developed sprue-like enteropathy after taking Benicar. Twenty-one patients who underwent follow-up biopsies had developed the condition. In severe cases, the condition can lead to significant weight loss and severe diarrhea. This symptom can also lead to a severe deficiency of essential nutrients. While most cases of sprue-like enteropathy are temporary, some patients can experience a lifetime of severe gastrointestinal problems, making it vital to discontinue Benicar usage.
Daiichi Sankyo is not admitting any liability
The Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo has agreed to settle the Benicar litigation with approximately 2,300 people in the U.S. in a $300 million settlement. The drug maker was ordered to pay this amount only if 95% of eligible claimants agree to the settlement. The company also says that it does not admit any liability in the Benicar lawsuit and is not admitting fault.
In Benicar lawsuits, the drug maker has admitted no responsibility. The company spent more than $1 billion promoting Benicar, omitting serious side effects. The drug became one of the best-selling drugs and prompted the FDA to warn the drug maker in 2006. The FDA ordered Daiichi Sankyo to stop making claims about Benicar’s superiority over other drugs. Plaintiffs also claim that Benicar increases the risk of heart problems in diabetics.
Forest Laboratories is not admitting any liability
A recent Benicar lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Jersey against Forest Laboratories and Daiichi Sankyo alleging that the pharmaceutical companies failed to properly warn patients of the serious gastrointestinal side effects of Benicar. The lawsuits allege that the companies failed to properly test the drug before introducing it to the public, which placed the public and consumers at risk. The plaintiff, Louisiana resident Edward M., claims that he was injured by Benicar, a drug he was prescribed for high blood pressure.
The company will complete its co-promotion period for Benicar this quarter. Forest will continue to receive a portion of Benicar’s profits through April 2014. The company will then reallocate its salesforce to two recent product launches. These are Azor and Bystolic, beta blockers approved by the FDA for the treatment of hypertension. The lawsuits have now settled, and both companies are not admitting any liability in the Benicar lawsuit.
Patients can receive compensation for hospital bills, medical treatment, lost work time, and anguish
Over a thousand lawsuits have been filed regarding Benicar and olmesartan, and patients can get financial compensation for their injuries and losses. Hospital bills and medical treatments are just a few of the expenses covered by a Benicar lawsuit, but patients can also receive compensation for their pain and suffering, lost work time, and anguish. But they must act quickly – every state has a statute of limitations that must be adhered to.