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Baycol:
Baycol Trial Update
Baycol trial
update: In 2003, there have been a number of Baycol claims settled
in the U.S. - These settlements have been involving injuries related
to a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which the patients developed
after taking the drug.
Baycol (cerivastatin),
which was initially approved in the U.S. in 1997, is a member of a
class of cholesterol lowering drugs that are commonly referred to
as "statins." Statins lower cholesterol levels by blocking
a specific enzyme in the body that is involved in the synthesis of
cholesterol. While all statins have been associated with very rare
reports of rhabdomyolysis, cases of fatal rhabdomyolysis in association
with the use of Baycol have been reported significantly more frequently
than for other approved statins.
Fatal rhabdomyolysis
reports with Baycol have been reported most frequently when used at
higher doses, when used in elderly patients, and particularly, when
used in combination with gemfibrozil (LOPID and generics), another
lipid lowering drug. Bayer recalled Baycol on August 8, 2001. At that
time the FDA had received reports of 31 U.S. deaths due to severe
rhabdomyolysis associated with use of Baycol, 12 of which involved
concomitant gemfibrozil use.
Rhabdomyolysis
is a condition that results in muscle cell breakdown and release of
the contents of muscle cells into the bloodstream. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis
include muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise, fever, dark urine,
nausea, and vomiting. The pain may involve specific groups of muscles
or may be generalized throughout the body.
By June 10, 2003,
888 more Baycol lawsuits had been settled. Bayer had announced in
its’ May 2003 update that 785 of the Baycol lawsuits had been
settled out of court, amounting to $240 million for the German based
pharmaceutical company. Now, Bayer has announced it has settled 888
Baycol lawsuits, but has not announced how must the additional Baycol
settlements cost the company. The company is still facing around 9,400
more Baycol lawsuits that are pending, an increase from 8,800 in May.
Following is an
Associated Press article from March 10, 2004:
Bayer
Reaches Deal On Cholesterol Drug
03/10/04 - German
drug maker Bayer AG has reached an agreement with most of its insurers
on coverage of around $1.2 billion for litigation related to the
2001 withdrawal of a cholesterol-lowering drug.
In a statement
Tuesday night, Bayer also said it had put aside 300 million euros
($369 million) in its 2003 fiscal year to cover additional settlements
and defense costs. The insurers "had previously proceeded only
on a provisional basis," the company said.
Bayer pulled
Lipobay, marketed as Baycol in the United States, in August 2001
after it was linked to a rare muscle-wasting syndrome and about
100 patient deaths.
On Tuesday,
the Leverkusen-based company said it has now reached 2,224 cases
related to the drug, paying out $842 million without admitting liability.
Another 9,948
cases were pending in the United States as of March 5, Bayer said.
"Where
facts have been developed in the course of the litigation, it so
far appears that the vast majority of plaintiffs did not suffer
serious side-effects," its statement said.
If
you have an interest in the Baycol trial, it is much to your advantage
to contact an attorney who advertises having experience and knowledge
in Baycol litigation. There are various lawyers devoted to these cases
and most offer services on a no-win no-fee basis. This is an important
factor to find out when contacting an attorney.
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