$2.4 Billion Settlement Agreement Reached In Actos Bladder Cancer Litigation

In 2015, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. reached a $2.4 billion settlement to address claims related to bladder cancer caused by its Type 2 diabetes medication, Actos.

Approximately 9,000 people who filed federal and state lawsuits were compensated for developing bladder cancer after taking Actos, according to Beasley Allen Mass Torts Section Head Andy D. Birchfield.

“This settlement program was carefully constructed to fairly compensate claimants based on the extent of their injuries and their cumulative exposure to Actos, considering other risk factors that could have contributed to their injuries,” said Birchfield. “Beasley Allen is grateful to have obtained such a positive resolution on behalf of hundreds of Actos clients.”

Birchfield signed the settlement agreement and served on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee for the Actos multidistrict litigation.

In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration warned about a possible connection between Actos and bladder cancer. It was revealed that the company knew about this link for seven years before the lawsuit was filed.