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Friday, July 04, 2008
Courts - Judges urges Lilly to try to settle Zyprexa drug claims
The ILB has posted about a dozen entries relating to various legal issues involving the Lilly drug Zyprexa. Today the Indianapolis Star has a lengthy, front-page story by John Russell that reports:
Eli Lilly and Co., which already has paid more than $1 billion to settle legal claims over the side effects of its top-selling drug, Zyprexa, now faces another protracted legal battle over whether it improperly marketed and overcharged for the antipsychotic and should pay billions more to insurers.A side-bar to the story details "Zyprexa's Legal Scorecard." The Star also makes the entire 291-page "discussion draft" written by federal district judge (ED NY) Jack B. Weinstein, dated July 2nd, available online.The stage was set Thursday when U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein issued a draft order saying the case against Lilly is strong enough to warrant a trial and noting that the company may have excessively encouraged questionable uses of the drug. In his 291-page draft, he urged Lilly to negotiate a worldwide settlement with plaintiffs, who are seeking up to $7.7 billion in reimbursements.
AdvertisementIt's the latest twist in a lengthy legal saga, filled with complex medical issues and implications for the national health-care system, including how drug makers market and charge for medicines, and how doctors prescribe them.
The case also continues to cast uncertainty over Lilly, the largest private employer in Indianapolis. The company already has paid more than $1 billion to settle personal injury claims by patients who said the company hid Zyprexa's side effects, including weight gain and increased blood sugar. The company still faces criminal and civil investigations by federal and state officials.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 4, 2008 08:45 AM
Posted to Courts in general