EDWARDSVILLE – A man claims he developed bladder cancer from the diabetes drug Actos.
Matthew M. Gasparovic and Sumico Yamana filed the suit March 3 in Madison County Circuit Court against Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Walgreens Company and Eli Lilly and Company.
According to the complaint, Gasparovic was prescribed a drug called Actos by his medical doctor to treat diabetes. He purchased his prescription at Walgreens' Madison County location.
The pharmaceutical in question was designed, tested, manufactured, labeled, advertised, marketed, promoted, sold and distributed by Takeda and Eli Lilly.
However, the suit alleges, the drug can cause bladder cancer; was inadequately researched for a connection between the drug and bladder cancer and that there was a lack of timely warnings that Actos causes bladder cancer.
The defendants allegedly engaged in unfair and deceptive acts and practices in violation of the Consumer Fraud Act by concealing, suppressing or omitting the facts that Actos causes bladder cancer or that the incidence of bladder cancer increases significantly when a patient takes the drug for 12 months, according to the lawsuit.
Because of his exposure to the drug, Gasparovic claims he developed bladder cancer, which has resulted in medical expenses, bodily damage, pain and suffering, anxiety and mental anguish, disability and the loss of a normal life.
Both plaintiffs seek damages against the defendants in an amount in excess of $50,000, actual economic damages, punitive damages, court costs and any relief the court deems just and proper.
Plaintiff Yamana seeks further damages for the loss of consortium of her husband.
They are represented by Edward J. Szewczyk of Callis, Papa & Szewczyk PC in Granite City and Casper S. Nighohossian of the Law Office of Casper S. Nichohossian in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-300