United Press International
March 31, 2008
Antidepressants, mood stabilizers or newer generation anti-psychotics can result in a patient’s weight gain, a Canadian researcher said.
Psychiatric drug-related weight gain “is a huge problem,” Dr. David Lau, chairman of the diabetes and endocrine research group at the University of Calgary and president of Obesity Canada, told The Ottawa Citizen.
“You can [...]
Entries from March 2008
March 31, 2008
Psychiatric pills can pack on pounds
March 30, 2008
Ex-drug salesman: We lured docs with gifts
Boston Globe
By Christine McConville
We all want to think that our doctors prescribe pain pills for our aching backs because it’s what we need, and not because a charming ex-cheerleader turned drug company sales rep has invited him to a Red Sox game.
But, according to a former drug salesman, that second scenario may be closer to [...]
March 28, 2008
Vermont spent millions on suspect drug Zyprexa
The Times Argus
By Daniel Barlow Vermont Press Bureau
MONTPELIER – As the lawsuits against Eli Lilly over its top-selling anti-schizophrenia drug Zyprexa began piling up in 2006, Vermont’s state-run insurance program spent nearly $4 million on the drug, according to documents.
That amount may seem like a drop in the bucket when compared to Zyprexa’s 2007 sales [...]
March 27, 2008
Otsuka to Pay Fine to Resolve Abilify Marketing Probe
Bloomberg News
By Robert Schmidt and Beth Jinks
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. agreed to pay $4 million to resolve U.S. allegations it marketed the schizophrenia drug Abilify for off-label uses in cahoots with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., which settled in September.
The Justice Department accused New York-based Bristol-Myers and Otsuka American Pharmaceutical Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the closely held [...]
March 27, 2008
State settles lawsuit over lack of warnings on dangerous drug – Eli Lilly to pay $15 million in first of many cases
Anchorage Daily News
LISA DEMER
Just days before its case would have gone to a jury, the state settled a lawsuit against Eli Lilly over the drug Zyprexa for $15 million in a deal that disappointed lawyers fighting in court for the state but was still a “good result,” according to Attorney General Talis Colberg.
The state of [...]
March 27, 2008
Alaska Suit Against Lilly Is Settled
New York Times
By ALEX BERENSON
The prospect of a pending Supreme Court case that could sweep away many lawsuits against drug companies loomed over Alaska’s decision to settle the state’s suit against Eli Lilly over the schizophrenia drug Zyprexa, lawyers for Lilly and the state said Wednesday.
Alaska had sued to recoup medical bills it said were [...]
March 26, 2008
Lawmaker Asks NJ AG To Probe Antipsychotics
Pharmalot
By Ed Silverman
New Jersey’s Medicaid program spent more than $73 million on antipsychotic meds for children less than 18 years old between 2000 and 2007, according to state records, even though the drugs weren’t approved by the FDA for treating kids. And a state official acknowledges the drugs may have been prescribed for conditions other [...]
March 26, 2008
Lilly and state settle Zyprexa lawsuit
Anchorage Daily News
Eli Lilly and Co. and the State of Alaska have agreed to settle the state’s lawsuit against the drug maker over the use of Zyprexa. Lilly will pay the state $15 million and agreed to ensure that Alaska is treated as favorably as any other state that may settle with the company in [...]
March 24, 2008
Trials illustrate two views of best-selling schizophrenia medicine
International Herald Tribune
By Alex Berenson
Two courtrooms, two floors of the Nesbett courthouse, two views of Zyprexa.
In courtroom 403, lawyers read corporate memos to the jury deciding the fate of a lawsuit brought by the state of Alaska, which was charging the drug maker Eli Lilly with hiding the dangers of Zyprexa, its best-selling schizophrenia medicine.
At [...]
March 22, 2008
Defense opens in Zyprexa trial
Anchorage Daily News
By LISA DEMER
In an Alaska courtroom, drug maker Eli Lilly is finally getting to defend itself against accusations that it failed to warn doctors and patients of health problems from its best-seller, Zyprexa.
The judge suggested Lilly has its work cut out for it.
Without lawsuits like the one the State of Alaska brought against [...]
