Zyprexa Drug Caught in Illegal Marketing
Can you imagine giving a loved one a pill you thought was approved for dementia, when it wasn’t? Well many people felt this betrayal by Eli Lilly & Co., makers of the drug Zyprexa. The drug company marketed the anti-psychotic drug for unapproved use in high doses, for pediatric care and for dementia.
The company recently pleaded guilty to illegally marketing and is settling civil suits in hopes of ending further criminal investigation for $1.42 billion.
Zyprexa is approved to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, the drug carries with it a warning label, informing patients that death is a possible side effect of using the drug, especially in patients with dementia. More disturbing is the fact that Ely Lilly & Co. made efforts to market Zyprexa for treatment of dementia, including dementia related to Alzheimer’s, despite the fact that the drug was never approved for such use.
Physicians are able to prescribe medications they see fit for any patient. Whether a patient had dementia or not, drug companies are forbidden from marketing medications for any use other than that which it has been approved by the FDA. If you are a victim of the drug Zyprexa, an experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to help determine if you have a case.
Many pharmaceutical companies take part in this practice known as off-label marketing even though it is illegal. In turn, they make huge profits from medications that were never approved for the ailments for which they are prescribed. These companies, like Eli Lilly & Co., are putting thousands of people at risk by marketing medications without approval.
If you or a loved one has been adversely affected by Zyprexa or any other medication, call the Page Law Missouri personal injury law firm for a free consultation. Call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com for more information.
