Approved by the FDA in July 1999, Actos (Pioglitazone) is manufactured by Takeda to treat Type 2 diabetes. Actos is in a class of insulin-sensitizing drugs known as thiazolidinediones, and is currently marketed as a stand-alone drug and/or in combination with metformin (Actoplus Met), metformin extended release tablets (Actoplus Met XR), and glimepiride (Duetact). Since its introduction to the market, millions of prescriptions of Actos have been written, and Actos has been included in the top ten best-selling medications in the United States for several years.

In September 2010, the FDA announced that Actos may be linked to urinary bladder cancer based upon data from a ten-year epidemiological study. Thereafter, the FDA and the EMA (European Medicines Agency) required revised Actos warning labels to include the risk of urinary bladder cancer. And in June 2011, the FDA warned the public that Actos usage for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Lawyers in our Mass Torts Section continue to investigate and file Actos cases involving individuals who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer after ingesting Actos. We currently have cases pending in Illinois and Louisiana. Andy Birchfield, who heads up the Mass Torts Section in our firm, has been selected to oversee the consolidated litigation as part of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) for In re: Actos (Pioglitazone) Products Liability Litigation MDL 2299. This litigation, which encompasses hundreds of cases against Takeda, involves bladder cancer, and is consolidated under U.S. District Judge Doherty in the Western District of Louisiana. The initial status conference in the Actos MDL took place on March 22nd.

Lawyers in our Mass Torts Section are currently investigating potential claims. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with bladder cancer after taking Actos, you can contact Roger Smith at 800-898-2034 or by email at Roger.Smith@beasleyallen.com. We would appreciate the opportunity to evaluate any potential claim.