Lipitor Lawsuits Claim Pfizer Knew of Diabetes Connection
It is the best-selling drug in pharmaceutical history, but now the cholesterol-lowering medication Lipitor is under fire from patients who claim that the Pfizer-made drug changed blood sugar levels and seriously raised their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Pfizer engaged in a massive advertising campaign when Lipitor was released; a campaign that urged patients to talk to their doctors about the benefits of the cholesterol medication. It obviously worked. It has been estimated that Pfizer generated some $125 billion in sales before Lipitor became available as a generic in 2011.
In February 2012, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology raised safety concerns about the popular class of cholesterol-fighting drugs, which included Lipitor. It warned that patients who took them might face an increased risk of developing diabetes.
A warning was added to the Lipitor label that same month, but it failed to actually state that the medication might raise the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Instead, the label was veiled in obtuse and confusing language, warning of increases in “HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels.”
Many of the lawsuits filed against Pfizer are claiming that the company knew there was a connection between Lipitor and diabetes before the drug was put on the market but failed to warn the public about the risks. The lawsuits go on to claim that the Lipitor label still fails to warn patients about the increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Do you believe that you developed Type 2 diabetes as a result of taking Lipitor? You may be entitled to compensation for damages. If you have questions about your legal rights, contact Farah & Farah in Gainesville at (800) 533-3555 or go online to set up an appointment to speak to one of our attorneys.
