Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits Against Diabetes Drug Manufacturers Await Judge’s Ruling

Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits Against Diabetes Drug Manufacturers Await Judge’s Ruling

One treatment option for people who suffer from type 2 diabetes is the Incretin family of drugs. Some of the popular name brand incretin drugs are Byetta, Victoza, Janumet and Januvia. These types of drugs work by stimulating the patient’s pancreas to produce more insulin. The drug manufacturers have always warned about possible inflammation of the pancreas and pancreatitis. But scientific studies have shown that these drugs have been linked to a significant increase risk of pancreatic cancer. This is a deadly type of cancer that is routinely not diagnosed until in an advanced stage.

Over two thousand people have filed lawsuits claiming their pancreatic cancer was caused by Incretin diabetes drugs. The cases have been consolidated in one federal court in the Southern District of California and are assigned to a single judge. The manufacturers include – Amylin Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp and Novo Nordisk. They have claimed there is no reliable scientific basis to show their drugs cause pancreatic cancer. They have asked the judge to rule whether the expert witnesses will be permitted to testify at trials. On October 20, 2020, the judge conducted what is known as a Daubert to determine whether the expert witnesses will be allowed to testify at trial. A ruling is expected early in 2021.

The current issue before the court is whether there is enough science to support the opinion that Byetta, Victoza, Janumet and Januvia significantly increase the risk of Pancreatic cancer. The judge could grant the drug manufacturers’ motion which would result in dismissal of all cases. The Judge could also deny the drug companies’ motion and rule there is enough scientific evidence upon which the experts may rely. If the judge permits the experts to testify, the first cases will be set for trial. The diabetes drug manufacturers still do not warn about the risk of developing lethal pancreatic cancer to this day.

If you or a loved one has taken Byetta, Victoza, Janumet or Januvia and then were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may be eligible for compensation. Please contact The Yost Legal Group at www.yostlaw.com or call 1-800-YOST-LAW (1-800-967-8529) to see if you may have a case. The consultation is free. If we take your case, there is no fee or expense unless you recover.