The State of New Jersey has consolidated dozens of Benicar lawsuits into one action. This is known as an MCL, or a multicounty litigation. An MCL is the state-level equivalent to a federal MDL, or multidistrict litigation. Cases are consolidated in order to pursue conclusions to them in a more expedient manner. Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories are the manufacturers of Benicar and the defendants in these lawsuits. They were the ones who requested consolidation and the state has agreed to this request. A single judge will now oversee these Benicar lawsuits.
What Is Benicar?
Benicar is a medication that is used to help patients control hypertension, or high blood pressure. Benicar was approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 2002. Given that more than 60 million people suffer from hypertension in the United States alone, Benicar has generated an enormous amount of revenue. Benicar is known as a blockbuster drug, meaning that it generates more than $1 billion in annual sales. In 2013, Benicar brought in more than $3 billion. Its patent is set to expire in 2016
What Are the Alleged Benicar Side Effects?
There are several different alleged Benicar side effects, but the one that is most commonly associated with the drug is a condition known as sprue-like enteropathy. This little-known condition involves the small intestine struggling to absorb nutrients. This problem leads to symptoms that include chronic diarrhea, weight loss and ultimately malnutrition. To make matters worse, these symptoms are similar to those who suffer from Celiac disease, a condition that affects people who are unable to absorb gluten. When Benicar users are mistakenly diagnosed with Celiac disease, this misdiagnosis can lead to additional problems and greater risks for patients.
Benicar Side Effects Lawsuits
In recent years, more than 1,000 Benicar lawsuits have been filed on the federal level. Many of those claims have been consolidated into an MDL. As stated above, dozens of claims have been filed in New Jersey that have now been consolidated into one action. The reason that this is done, whether it’s on the state or federal level, is because the claims are substantially similar both in their facts and the alleged injuries that were caused.
In this situation, plaintiffs claim that the makers of Benicar did not adequately warn consumers about the dangers of Benicar side effects. In 2013, the FDA announced that all labels of Benicar would now be required to carry clear warnings that using the medication could lead to diarrhea symptoms. Since then, the number of Benicar lawsuits has grown quickly. Many legal experts believe that the number of lawsuits filed against these defendants will continue to climb.
Benicar Lawsuits and Your Legal Rights
If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of using this medication, you need to take immediate action to protect your legal rights. You can do so by contacting the Benicar side effects lawyers at Parilman & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can either email the firm or call 800-800-DRUG.
