Seroquel Lawsuit Defense Costs Exceed $593M for AstraZeneca
Published: August 4th, 2009 • Comments: 10
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After spending nearly $600 million in legal expenses to fight thousands of Seroquel lawsuits filed by users of their blockbuster antipsychotic medication, AstraZeneca indicates that they have exceeded the potential extent of their liability insurance coverage for defense costs.
Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) is an atypical-antipsychotic that is a top selling drug for AstraZenenca, generating nearly $5 billion a year in sales.
The drug maker faces potential liability for allegedly failing to adequately warn users that Seroquel side effects may increase the risk of diabetes, weight gain, hyperglycemia and a rare movement disorder known as tardive dyskinesia.
While announcing their second-quarter profits, AstraZeneca noted that the Seroquel lawsuit defense costs have exceeded $593 million, which does not include any funds that may be necessary to compensate consumers who suffered injuries. This would exhaust the potential insurance coverage available for such expenses, and the company also anticipates that their insurers will dispute coverage for some or all of the costs. AstraZeneca must now begin taking charges on their income statements to cover the costs of the litigation.
As of July 13, 2009, AstraZeneca faced 10,381 Seroquel lawsuits involving about 19,391 plaintiff groups, according to their second quarter report. Most of the cases have been consolidated in an MDL, or Multidistrict Litigation, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Earlier this year, two of the first cases set for trial in the federal MDL were dismissed after the court determined that those plaintiffs could not establish that their diabetes was caused by Seroquel under Florida law. While those cases are being appealed, the remaining Florida cases that were prepared for early trials have been stayed pending a decision. However, the MDL court has indicated that cases filed in other states will be remanded back to the federal district courts where they were filed for individual trials after procedural and evidentiary issues are resolved.
At this time, the first trial for a Seroquel lawsuit is scheduled to occur in Missouri state court in October 2009.
Comment by Sue on 6 August 2009:
I was on Seroquel for about a year for the treatment of bi-polar disorder. During that time I experienced involuntary arm and leg movements. I was hospitalized three times. Twice I was at a very small hospital, they sedated me and sent me home and provided no reason as to the movements. The third time I went to a much larger hospital and was sedated, aspirated and ended up in intensive care. It was then that I was diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia and that this was caused by the Seroquel. Tardive dyskinesia is not treatable and is a life long illness. This drug needs to be taken off the marketplace
Comment by Steve on 10 August 2009:
I have never been on this or any psychiatric drug but I have worked with and attempted to assist many people who were on it (and who suffered as a result) to know that this is poison, plain and simple. Drugs like Seroquel (such as Zyprexa, Geodon, Risperdal, etc.) have been and still are the subject of state and federal investigations and very big legal actions. Eli Lilly alone has paid out close to 2 billion in civil and criminal settlements for fraudulent marketing and or failing to adequately warn consumers of the diabetic side effects of their drug Zyprexa. These drugs are not new and improved. They are just far more expensive and far more risky. And when it has been conclusively proven that schizophrenia can be cured without drugs, why are doctors and psychiatrists still prescribing these prescription death sentences? It’s the buck of course. They don’t care about people or health. They just want your (or the states’) money.
Comment by Warren on 12 August 2009:
To Steve: What is your conclusive evidence that schizophrenia can be cured without drugs? i have a 46 year old son suffering from schizophrenia who is on Seroquel and Geodon. He has taken Risperdal in the past. he has been on an assotment of psychotropic drugs for 17 years.
Comment by Dixie on 13 August 2009:
I have been on seroquel for 5 years. I was diag. with manic-depression (aka bipolar disorder) & OCD 15 years ago. I had tried every form of therapy, including biofeedback, cognitive therapy, prayer, “thinking positive thoughts.” I was always a very high achiever, put myself through college & got 3 degrees. But I had horrific insomnia, super manias & then constant thoughts of suicide. Depakote helped vs. the mania but it wasn’t until I tried Seroquel that the suicidal thoughts stopped. It took about 4 weeks but now I rarely think of suicide.
I have some “jerks” but I consider it worth the trade off to be sane & non-suicidal
Comment by Marget on 25 September 2009:
I have been on seroquel for approximately 6 years. Nine months ago I was told that I suffer with diabetes. I had noticed that I had gained excessive weight, had severe hunger and thirst. I also experienced redness and itchness on my skin. In the past I have also been on risperidal.
Comment by Laura on 1 October 2009:
Was this or was it not approved for use of Autism? My son has also been suicidal since taking this drug and is 17 running out in the street now and has stayed upset almost daily and getting stuck alot like he is frozen and stomping through this house destruct and destroy. I have also noticed he has been ill a few times hurling all over the bathroom in the past few weeks he has been back on it. Tests showed his proteins were low. The Dr’s claim this is all just behavior issues and he should stay on it i disagree. He has been on this in the past and it seemed to help at a lower dosage though he still would get froze at times he was more here than gone (stuck) ya know? Now i have an uncontrollable child i cannot even get to get out of the car to even see a Dr which is also a new thing since the Seroquel and he is ripping lightswitches out of the walls and ceiling fans out of the ceiling!. Ben has been on Risperadol and Zyprexa in the past and became manic on both drugs he is highly allergic and these quacks know that!!!! I am so angry!!!!
Comment by sydney on 1 October 2009:
I TOO HAVE BEEN ON SEROQUEL FOR 5 TO6 YEARS AND HAVE PUT ON LOTS OF WEIGHT, NOW I AM DIABETIC, HAVE SLEEP APENIA, THYROID PROBLEMS,HIGH BLOOD PREASURE. WHEN I WOULD TAKE SEROQUEL I WOULD GO INTO A DEEP SLEEP.I ALSO WAS ON ZYEXPRA
Comment by BEn on 13 October 2009:
Laura,
Hang in there. I am sorry you are having these problems. I just used to work for AZ and came to this site to read about the lawsuits. Nevr sold Seraquel, but I could just feel your pain and thought you could use some encouraging words. I’m no medical expert, but I would try to find a doc who would be willing to start from scratch with your son. Maybe no drugs, wash him out, then try to figure something out. Try to keep things calm around your son, talk to him, love him, and pray. I hope everything works out, I will pray for you too. Ben.
Comment by Sue on 11 December 2009:
I have had the opportunity to work with a neuopsychiatrist who has been able to help me live a normal life. Although this drug has potential side effects, as any drug has, this drug has significantly had a positve effect on my life. I understand the concern of possible side effects. All medications have possible side effects!!! Each person has to decide whether the risk of potential side effect is worth having an opportunity for a normal life! I am a survivor of metastatic breast cancer (diagnosed initially in 1994) with a recent recurrance for a second time, I am wiling to risk side effects to have the opportunity to have a terrific life!!! Only a person who has lived through depression and mood issues can decide to take this medication. Many thousands have been positively effected by the use of this drug. I am not the only person I have directly seen a positive action on. A young adult nephew was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder and has been effectively treated using
Seroquel, being monitored for potential side effects. Thus for,
Seroquel has allowed a normal life again. SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR IN THE USE OF ALL MEDICATIONS.
Comment by winston on 2 February 2010:
I was on seroquel for over 4 years with medium results. Still had bad cycling with the bipolar. Suicidal thoughts, weight gain and just was released from a 2 week stay in the hospital for acute/severe pancreatitis. I have no history of any physical ailments until this. Pancreatitis is a rare illness in healthy adults. The only known cause was the seroquel. I have been slowly poisoning myself with this medication and now have permanate damage and medical bills enough to bankrupt me.This has been a nightmare!!