Two Illinois plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline alleging they should have never sold Avandia without warning consumers about the potential for serious side effects, such as heart attacks and congestive heart failure which the plaintiffs state they have suffered.
The lawsuit was filed by the plaintiffs on September 7, 2011 in St. Clair County, Illinois. Both claim they took Avandia to treat their Type 2 diabetes. Both plaintiffs allege they suffered serious injuries as a result of taking Avandia. The case alleges that GlaxoSmithKline and pharmaceutical distributor McKesson were aware that Avandia was linked to a 51% increased risk for cardiovascular problems before the plaintiffs were prescribed the medication.
The complaint states that despite the knowledge of increased cardiovascular problems, both GlaxoSmithKline and McKesson failed to provide warning labels until August 14, 2007.
Both plaintiffs state that because of GlaxoSmithKline and McKesson’s failure to warn of such side effects, both suffered cardiovascular injuries, such as heart attacks, congestive heart failure, pain, suffering, large financial losses over their inability to work and large medical costs, permanent disfigurement and a lost quality of life.
The lawsuit cites 10 counts and seeks a judgment in excess of $250,000, not including legal fees, court costs and other relief.