Avandia Lawsuit Settlement of $60M Will Resolve 700 Cases: Report

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GlaxoSmithKline PLC has reportedly agreed to pay $60 million to settle about 700 Avandia lawsuits filed over side effects of their diabetes drug. However, the drug maker still faces thousands of other similar suits filed throughout the United States alleging that they failed to adequately warn about the risk of heart attacks, heart failure and other injuries. 

The Avandia settlements were reached to between Glaxo and two law firms representing hundreds of clients, sources told Bloomberg News. The agreement is believed to be the first settlement of Avandia injury claims brought by users, and Bloomberg reports that the drug maker is continuing negotiations to settle Avandia lawsuits with other lawyers.

Avandia (rosiglitazone) was approved in the United States in 1998 to treat type 2 diabetes by helping control blood sugar levels. The drug has been used by millions of diabetics, but sales have plummeted in recent years as concerns have mounted about the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening heart risks with Avandia. Some experts estimate that Avandia has caused between 60,000 and 200,000 heart attacks and deaths due to cardiovascular problems in the U.S. from 1999 to 2006.

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Concerns about the risk of heart problems with Avandia first gained widespread attention in May 2007, when a meta-analysis of 42 different clinical trials was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggesting that users of Avandia had a 43% increased risk of a heart attack.

In the United States, GlaxoSmithKline PLC currently faces thousands of lawsuits over Avandia filed by former users of the drug who allege that the drug company failed to adequately research their medication or warn users about the serious side effects. Federal Avandia litigation has been consolidated into an MDL, or Multidistrict Litigation, for pretrial litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where the first trial is expected to begin in July.

Details of the agreement are unknown, including the nature of the injuries involved in the cases. However, the Avandia settlement breaks down to an average of about $86,000 per plaintiff.

Pressure to resolve the Avandia cases has increased in recent months with the first trials approaching and a renewed push by critics for a recall of Avandia to be issued.

Earlier this year, a Senate report was released that criticized GlaxoSmithKline for intimidating doctors who spoke out about Avandia side effects and for failing to adequately warn users about the risk of a heart attack from side effects of Avandia.

Last week, at a House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee hearing, several lawmakers entered testimony criticizing the FDA for not issuing an Avandia recall and questioning how the drug was ever approved in the first place.

FDA is currently conducting an Avandia safety review and estimates that it will conclude its investigation some time in July. Some of the FDA’s own drug reviewers said as early as 2007 that Avandia poses too great of a health risk for too few benefits. The FDA is considering pulling the plug on an Avandia study, called TIDE, which is looking at the side effects of Avandia compared to those of Actos, a competing diabetes medication manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. The FDA says that given the Avandia heart attack risks, it may be unethical to continue the trials.

Tags: Avandia, Diabetes Drug, GlaxoSmithKline, Heart Attack
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600 Comments

coeta
i filed a claim with a law firm in st louis mo. and we live in oklahima. I got one letter to sign and send back but have not heard a word from anyone. My husband had open heart surgery 6 bypasses in 2006 and then had to have a stint put in in 2010, He had a mild stoke in 2012 and now has frontal lobe dimentia, he is not in very good shape and we take one day at a time. I hope to hear from someone soon but probably wont and I don’t know who to call
Marvin
Thanks Laura, How long have you been waiting for the letter from GSK? I have been waiting since Jan 2013.
will
Sorry about the low amount you got Johnson but i don’t get it. My mother died as well and we settled for 178,000 a couple month ago. No, we having received anything yet. Our layer said it takes about 90 days for Garretson resolution group to review it. So now we wait again. I have to say that we only filed our claim 2 years ago and it seems like we are father along then a hole lot of people that has had claims from the beginning.
Laura
We talked to our lawyer’s out of Denver and he said that he the approval and we were in the next round. He said the distribution letter’s should be sent out by the middle of next week. He said as soon as we sign it and get it back in then he well be issuing check’s to us. He said that the checks should be sent to us within 30 days of receiving the letter’s back and signed. He said he doesn’t have to wait until they are all sent back just most of those. So the faster we send them back, the sooner they well send checks. Let’s hope they are correct.
Johnson
‘@Connie: My husband died from CHF and GSK settled with me less than $50,000. I think this is a shame.
Laura
Talked to our attorney on Friday, and he said he should get final approvals within the next couple of weeks. He said that the approval letters he is waiting for are coming from GSk. Everyone in the Denver group should have already got there settlement offer. Once he get’s all the disbursement letters signed and sent back in 30 days from that we should get a check. He said he doesn’t have to have all of them sent back in, but most of them. So as soon as you get the letter sign it and send it back in.
Connie
Is there a chart that tell the amount we will get like from slight effects or for dying What is the most you have heard of anyone getting and the least
Marvin
My attoney is in AZ. My file has been with Glaxo since last January 2013 for their approval for payment. I didn’t know this would take more than 60 days. Are there others waiting on Glaxo to release the authorization for payments? I have been watching this web page for a while and no mention they were waiting on Galxo.
Laura
I talked to our lawyer today and he said that he should hear more by the end of the week. We well see. I thought what he sent out last was a check, but I guess it was the distribution letter. That is what they are sending out next. Our lawyer said that after we get that and sign it and turn it back in, then 30 days from then we shall get a check. Let’s hope so!
Harry
‘@Elizabeth…The states got paid, not the people who filed claim in the states. The 38 states that settled, got paid money that they put a claim against GSK. The people like us that filed claims, are being settled by a law firm, by law firm basis
mary
Elizabeth what state was that settles did they say Kentucky was one of them.
Johnson
‘@laura, Im not in your group. So far my group is waiting on the affidavits for the insurance liens and I think it is the same as the distribution letters. Hopefully, we will get our checks after the letters are returned.
Laura
The courts have already settled. Some checks have been sent out. We are still waiting for our check. They keep changing the dates on us. I don’t know what the hold up is and neither dose out lawyer. He want’s to get this all done.
no name
I call the firm once a week as well and get basically the same, when i get an answer. We dont know when more money will be released, we dont know what the hold up is, we will contact you when we have more information. How is it that GSK still has son much hold over settlements. They are ones that get to say yes pay or no dont pay. We have settled signed all the papers, met all the timelines, there has to be someone that can get this moving.
no name
I contacted people that i know live in NC and only 1 said they got a check… at least 3 others have not. So i think that when you say (or whoever is saying this) NC got paid their settlements, that is incorrect. Wish it was true and they could validate that information, it would give hope for the rest of us. Anyone else from NC want to contribute? Did you get your settlement payment?
Elizabeth
I got it off the other site where 38 states has been settled
Laura
no name, We were told by our lawyer, and we have the same one as you, that the first round of checks have already been sent. The 2nd round was suppose to be sent out by March 1st. Nothing yet. We called the lawyer and he said he is still waiting for another approval to send out more check. But now they are asking for something different. Now they have a distribution letter that they are sending out that we have to sign. Then after that we are to get a check. The first round that they sent out didn’t need that letter. I don’t know why they changed their minds about needing something els. Our lawyer said he hasn’t heard anything else since the first round. He didn’t know what the hold up was. I hope this helps, I well continue to poss any new info that I get. I ussually call our lawyer’s at least once a week. He is pretty good about answering my question’s. Was kind of annoyed last week cause he wasn’t answering me, but found out he was on vacation.
Ann
Hello, My husband spoke with his lawyer in Cal and he was told that he could receive his check from now thou June he isn’t holding his breath cause he has heard this before. We understand it isn’t the lawyer fault. But come on they could send out letters or do return phone calls to the clients that are paying there wages !!
no name
Elizabeth, Where did you hear that NC got paid.. I dont think it is a state by state payout, it is more a case by case payout, or groups of cases. Be interested to know your info came from
Johnson
Just heard back from my attorney saying that he is in the process of sending out affidavits to us regarding the liens because the courts are requesting it. After that, we should get our checks. That’s was good news to my ears.
no name
CAROLYN , have you heard anything more ….this is the first week of April and I have not heard anyone else from the firm in Denver say they got a call about a check this month. No checks in March and nothing again this month so far… when will this be over with at least a round 1 check?
elizabeth
Well I read where the people in North Carolina got paid their settlements….So where is ours?
Laura
Johnson, They told us that there was over 3000 cases that are being claimed in this group. The first set of checks have been sent out , but we talked to our attorney and he said that they are sending something out that is a thing for us to sign to say how things are to be spent. Then 30 days from that we are to get our check. So the thing they are sending out are the distribution letters. I thought it was a check, I guess not. They are waiting for them to O.k. it , before they send some more out, and so far they haven’t heard anymore. They can’t send anymore out tell the court’s say too. I don’t understand what the hold-up is.
no name
has any one with the law firm g-k out of cal heard any thing from them as too when we might get our first check i tryed too call all i got was the secretary voice mail no return phone call as of yet.
No Name
Did the firm from denver say how many checks would be released? I think we all got the same paperwork at the same time, and had the same deadlines to return it. There was a group that was paid in Feb, but I dont know how many and who determined who was in that group. I have been waiting for the money for a very long time, longer than alot of people that have already been paid. Maybe I will get a call that says my money is being released too… Laura… did you get the word that your money is coming the first week of April> Have you call this week?
Johnson
‘@Laura: When I called the steering committe and spoke with one of the members who is working with GSK on the healthcare liens, he stated to me that the medical liens is holding up our payment. I haven’t received my first check yet and I settled in February 2012. So, I am not looking for the second check because I have not gotten the first check yet!
CAROLYN
well this is the latest as of 3/27/13,was sent papers to be signed and mailed back asap.making sure all members names and birthdates were valadated.meaning my siblings. THIS IS SHOCKER, TODAY GOT CALL FROM ATTORNEY OFFICE OUT OF DENVER, POSSNER STATES MONIES WILL BE RELEASED IST WEEK OF APRIL. LETS HOPE THIS IS FOR REAL AND NOT APRIL FOOLS,].has anyone else heard anything? FEDERAL GOV. IS TO BLAME FOLKS. OUR SEN, CONGRESSMAN, AND YOU NEED TO LET THEM KNOW, I DID, HELL NO I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THEM.AND YES I AM VERY INVOLVED IN POLITICS
laura
Johnson, No the attorney doesn’t get the 20%. That is for medicare, medicaid and the private insurance that are in the claim. If you don’t owe them or don’t have any liens the 20$that is left over you well get at a later day. The attorney’s don’t get anymore than 40%. There are two checks we are suppose to get. We were told the first rounds have already been sent out. The other round was suppose to be sent by the first of March, nothing yet. That is what I am getting so annoyed for. We have been trying to call our attorney for over two weeks and he never answers. As far as I have been told is they already got paid. We are all waiting for our money and they keep changing the dates. GSK has alread settled so I don’t understand what the hold up is.
Ann
My husband called his lawyer yesterday and they told him that between now & June he will receive his money. Not holding our breath but we shall see … Good luck to everyone
No Name
Laura, What would the purpose be for the lawyers to drag their feet? They are not getting paid unless we are getting paid. Who is in control of the money and when we get it? Garettson? The Lawyers? GSK? I have heard nothing from the firm in Denver… nothing in weeks. Anyone hear news of any kind? So ready to be paid for all that we have been through… We jump through hoops to meet the timelines that are set to get paperwork signed and returned but nothing is done in a timely manner in return. How do we get our checks?
Johnson
The attorney’s are getting 60% of our settlement; 20% holdback and 40% for attorney fees. That leaves us with 40% of our settlement.
Elizabeth
I wonder if any of us will ever see anything? They say that GKs had to approve the settlements..But I am calling every week to check on the process of the claims
Laura
anybody have reily and them out of Denver? They use to be good at taking calls,but I have been trying to call them for over 2 weeks and they don’t answer the phone. The secretary answers and sends me to our attorney but the line just rings and then goes to voice mail. If I leave a message he doesn’t call back. Starting to get annoyed. I feel that they have stopped issuing checks.
Johnson
‘@Will, basically you are saying that the attorneys are getting 20% for cases that were not approved yet and 40% for cases that were approved, which totals 60% of our settlements? That leaves us with 40% of our settlement and if a person did not get a good settlement offer, what they will get in their hands is way less than the attorneys and WE are the victims. Hmmm, interesting.
Laura
yea they are suppose to hold back the 20% but the rest is suppose to be sent out. Then the 20% that doesn’t get claimed is suppose to be sent in another 6 to 12 months.
Johnson
‘@Will, So the attorneys are getting 60% of all our settlements? 20% they are holding and 40% for attorney fees?
Johnson
however anyone wants to put it, our settlements are being held up due to medicare, medicaid and the private insurance companies suing GSK for part of OUR settlements. Botton line.
will
yes they are holding back 20% . that not just for the insurance companies . for some of there cases that were not approved yet. the 20% is 20% of the settlement the lawyer got for all of his clients . that information is in every settlement packet .
Laura
what about the rest. Why haven’t they sent that? They have already sent some of those checks out, we wasn’t in that round. They were suppose to send the other round out by the 1st of March. Now they are saying they haven’t heard anything else. We have a law firm in Denver and they are the ones that have started dragging their feet. They are suppos to be holding the 20% back but we are suppose to be getting the rest now. And the 20% they held back 6months to a year.
kimberly
what Noname posted was : ” They are holding back 20% because that is the max any of the insurance companies, medicare, medicaid, etc can get” Anyone heard from Reilly Ponzer?
Laura
I am starting to get annoyed. Now they say they haven’t heard any more as to when the other checks are being released. They had said they are suppose to releas them on the 1st of each month. Now they are saying something different. I want to know what they are doing with our money and what we have to do to get them to move. The courts have already settled and have already paid out there money
Johnson
‘@Nell, look at my recent post. I just informed everyone about the liason. Noname says its not true that there is 20% being held back for the insurance companies, however, the liason told me something else. Basically, the same thing he told you. Read the previous posts by Noname
kimberly
has anyone gotten paid this month? Have not heard any money being released this month.
Nell
Hello all I am 38 I had a heart attack in 2009 after being on Avandia for some time I have been watching these post for a while some here are very knowledgeable Joe your the best..after following some leads here do not call judges chambers will not help at all but there is a liaison to help with attorneys who are being nasty and not answering questions also was informed by that liaison that payments are being paused because insurance companies that paid for our surgeries and hospital stays are stepped in to get reimbursement before o ur monies are released to us..This liaison is an attorney and is in Pennsylvania. I am in Baltimore Md. I Pray for Strength Help and Encouragement to all as they cope with sickness health issues and Loss of Love ones
Laura
I don’t think the lawyer”s are necessarily lying, I think they are telling people what they are being told. I think the people who are talking to them are the one’s lying. They had a meeting the other day and the money has been al paid by GSK, wonder where it is at? Somwhere collecting interest. I think the lawyers are taking there time so they can collect the interest that is acrouing.
joe
R C, I don’t think your lawyer is lying. I think they are covering up stupidity and mistakes that they made.
Laura
Just talked to our attorney, he said he is still waiting to hear when another round well be released to go out and as of yet he hasn’t heard any more. He is hoping he well hear more by the end of the week. He said he wants to get this done. The first of March came and went and still nothing else. He cant send anymore check’s out until he is told. Wonder what the hold up is?
R.C.
Yes I do blame the attorneys for this. They lied to me back In July saying they had my fathers medical records & I would receive a settlement packet In 12/2012. In Feb. 2013 they called me & told me I had to go down to my fathers former doctor & get his medical records & send to them. That is their fault for lying to me saying they had his medical records when in fact they never really did. I still have all their letters to send to the State Bar stating I would receive a settlement packet 12/2012.
Elizabeth
Well the lawyer said July and everything should be settled..what is the next lie they tell..He said that GKS was holding them up…….
lenwood
i have been told 8 different dates in one year. why is it taking so long. i believe the “FEDS” should be brought into this.
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