Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13155

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Eli Lilly urges patients to continue with Zyprexa medication after latest suit
CNN Money.com 2008 Mar 13
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-23731035.htm

Full text:

Eli Lilly and Co has urged patients to continue with medications that have been prescribed and discuss their concerns with their doctor, after the Connecticut Attorney-General accused the drugmaker of illegally marketing and concealing serious side effects of its top-selling schizophrenia drug, Zyprexa.

In a statement in reaction to a news release by Attorney General Richard Blumenthalin, Eli Lilly said it ‘strongly disagrees with the characterization of company practices’ alleged by Blumenthalin.

‘The tone and content of the release is a disservice to patients who may currently be taking Zyprexa to treat a life-threatening disease.’
It urged patients to get more information about Zyprexa by calling the company or going to its website.

‘We remain confident in the safety and efficacy of Zyprexa based on the depth and breadth of scientific research conducted around the world,’ it said.

‘We believe these claims are without merit and we will vigorously defend against them.’
The state of Connecticut is suing Eli Lilly, seeking to recover ‘millions of taxpayer and consumer dollars improperly spent on Zyprexa as a result of its illegal marketing and millions more spent for treatment of serious side effects from Zyprexa.

Zyprexa is indicated in the US for the short- and long-term treatment of schizophrenia, acute mixed and manic episodes of bipolar I disorder, and maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Since Zyprexa was introduced in 1996, it has been prescribed to approximately 23 mln people worldwide. Zyprexa is not approved for patients under 18 years of age.