AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records Show

[Guest guest]

3 articles here

AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

AstraZeneca Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records ShowEmail | Print | A A A

By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes diabetes, knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown in federal court.

AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause” diabetes and related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal court in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs plan to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects when the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown in court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based pharmaceutical company.

Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03 billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its ulcer treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to offset revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for Nexium.

AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

Developed Diabetes

Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel. The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers have sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims by individuals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter, asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating to Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge Anne Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4 percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100 milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of 126 milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist, who read in court from the company report.

1.4 Percent

That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett testified, makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would develop diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

“It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,” she said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.”

AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all people who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that didn’t show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop diabetes.

Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an interview.

“We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,” he said.

The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa, Florida, at jschneider5@... and; Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfisk@....Last Updated: December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

[Guest guest]

3 articles here

AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

AstraZeneca Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records ShowEmail | Print | A A A

By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes diabetes, knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown in federal court.

AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause” diabetes and related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal court in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs plan to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects when the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown in court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based pharmaceutical company.

Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03 billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its ulcer treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to offset revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for Nexium.

AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

Developed Diabetes

Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel. The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers have sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims by individuals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter, asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating to Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge Anne Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4 percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100 milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of 126 milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist, who read in court from the company report.

1.4 Percent

That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett testified, makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would develop diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

“It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,” she said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.”

AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all people who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that didn’t show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop diabetes.

Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an interview.

“We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,” he said.

The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa, Florida, at jschneider5@... and; Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfisk@....Last Updated: December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

[Guest guest]

3 articles here

AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

AstraZeneca Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records ShowEmail | Print | A A A

By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes diabetes, knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown in federal court.

AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause” diabetes and related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal court in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs plan to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects when the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown in court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based pharmaceutical company.

Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03 billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its ulcer treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to offset revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for Nexium.

AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

Developed Diabetes

Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel. The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers have sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims by individuals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter, asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating to Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge Anne Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4 percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100 milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of 126 milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist, who read in court from the company report.

1.4 Percent

That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett testified, makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would develop diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

“It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,” she said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.”

AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all people who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that didn’t show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop diabetes.

Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an interview.

“We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,” he said.

The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa, Florida, at jschneider5@... and; Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfisk@....Last Updated: December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

[Guest guest]

3 articles here

AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

AstraZeneca Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records ShowEmail | Print | A A A

By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes diabetes, knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown in federal court.

AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause” diabetes and related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal court in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs plan to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects when the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown in court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based pharmaceutical company.

Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03 billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its ulcer treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to offset revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for Nexium.

AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

Developed Diabetes

Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel. The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers have sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims by individuals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter, asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating to Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge Anne Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4 percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100 milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of 126 milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist, who read in court from the company report.

1.4 Percent

That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett testified, makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would develop diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

“It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,” she said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.”

AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all people who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that didn’t show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop diabetes.

Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an interview.

“We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,” he said.

The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa, Florida, at jschneider5@... and; Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfisk@....Last Updated: December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

[Guest guest]

These sorry f-ers. What a csh cow for PhRMA...give people

diabetes...meds,supplies, walking canes for blindness, dialysis, $$$$$$$$$......

Jim wrote:

> 3 articles here

> AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

> AstraZeneca

> Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

>  

>  

> http://www.bloomber g.com/apps/ news?pid=

20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

> AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records

> Show Email | Print | A A A

>  

> By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

>  

> Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than

> 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes

diabetes,

> knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown

in

> federal court.

>  

> AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there

> was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause†diabetes

and

> related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal

court

> in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available

> studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

>  

> The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time

> during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs

plan

> to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects

when

> the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown

in

> court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based

> pharmaceutical company.

>  

> Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03

> billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its

ulcer

> treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to

offset

> revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for

> Nexium.

>  

> AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and

> federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases

> dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a

> complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

>  

> Developed Diabetes

>  

> Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel.

> The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly &

> Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers

have

> sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them

> for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims

by

> individuals.

>  

> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter,

> asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating

to

> Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge

Anne

> Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

>  

> AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4

> percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood

> became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100

> milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of

126

> milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist,

who

> read in court from the company report.

>  

> 1.4 Percent

>  

> That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a

> placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett

testified,

> makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would

develop

> diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

>  

> “It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,†she

> said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.â€

>  

> AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of

> the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all

people

> who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

>  

> Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she

> relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that

didn’t

> show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop

> diabetes.

>  

> Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known

> as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

> These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to

> warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to

> settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an

> interview.

>  

> “We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,†he

> said.

>  

> The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769,

> U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

>  

> To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa,

> Florida, at jschneider5@ bloomberg. net and;

> Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfiskbloomberg (DOT) net . Last

Updated:

> December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

>

[Guest guest]

These sorry f-ers. What a csh cow for PhRMA...give people

diabetes...meds,supplies, walking canes for blindness, dialysis, $$$$$$$$$......

Jim wrote:

> 3 articles here

> AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

> AstraZeneca

> Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

>  

>  

> http://www.bloomber g.com/apps/ news?pid=

20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

> AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records

> Show Email | Print | A A A

>  

> By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

>  

> Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than

> 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes

diabetes,

> knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown

in

> federal court.

>  

> AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there

> was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause†diabetes

and

> related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal

court

> in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available

> studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

>  

> The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time

> during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs

plan

> to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects

when

> the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown

in

> court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based

> pharmaceutical company.

>  

> Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03

> billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its

ulcer

> treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to

offset

> revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for

> Nexium.

>  

> AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and

> federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases

> dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a

> complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

>  

> Developed Diabetes

>  

> Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel.

> The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly &

> Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers

have

> sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them

> for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims

by

> individuals.

>  

> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter,

> asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating

to

> Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge

Anne

> Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

>  

> AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4

> percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood

> became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100

> milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of

126

> milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist,

who

> read in court from the company report.

>  

> 1.4 Percent

>  

> That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a

> placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett

testified,

> makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would

develop

> diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

>  

> “It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,†she

> said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.â€

>  

> AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of

> the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all

people

> who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

>  

> Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she

> relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that

didn’t

> show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop

> diabetes.

>  

> Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known

> as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

> These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to

> warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to

> settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an

> interview.

>  

> “We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,†he

> said.

>  

> The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769,

> U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

>  

> To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa,

> Florida, at jschneider5@ bloomberg. net and;

> Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfiskbloomberg (DOT) net . Last

Updated:

> December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

>

[Guest guest]

These sorry f-ers. What a csh cow for PhRMA...give people

diabetes...meds,supplies, walking canes for blindness, dialysis, $$$$$$$$$......

Jim wrote:

> 3 articles here

> AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

> AstraZeneca

> Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

>  

>  

> http://www.bloomber g.com/apps/ news?pid=

20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

> AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records

> Show Email | Print | A A A

>  

> By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

>  

> Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than

> 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes

diabetes,

> knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown

in

> federal court.

>  

> AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there

> was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause†diabetes

and

> related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal

court

> in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available

> studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

>  

> The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time

> during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs

plan

> to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects

when

> the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown

in

> court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based

> pharmaceutical company.

>  

> Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03

> billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its

ulcer

> treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to

offset

> revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for

> Nexium.

>  

> AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and

> federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases

> dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a

> complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

>  

> Developed Diabetes

>  

> Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel.

> The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly &

> Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers

have

> sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them

> for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims

by

> individuals.

>  

> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter,

> asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating

to

> Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge

Anne

> Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

>  

> AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4

> percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood

> became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100

> milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of

126

> milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist,

who

> read in court from the company report.

>  

> 1.4 Percent

>  

> That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a

> placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett

testified,

> makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would

develop

> diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

>  

> “It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,†she

> said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.â€

>  

> AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of

> the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all

people

> who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

>  

> Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she

> relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that

didn’t

> show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop

> diabetes.

>  

> Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known

> as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

> These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to

> warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to

> settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an

> interview.

>  

> “We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,†he

> said.

>  

> The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769,

> U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

>  

> To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa,

> Florida, at jschneider5@ bloomberg. net and;

> Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfiskbloomberg (DOT) net . Last

Updated:

> December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

>

[Guest guest]

These sorry f-ers. What a csh cow for PhRMA...give people

diabetes...meds,supplies, walking canes for blindness, dialysis, $$$$$$$$$......

Jim wrote:

> 3 articles here

> AstraZeneca Rep Pitched Seroquel For Depression

> AstraZeneca

> Knew Seroquel Risks For Years

>  

>  

> http://www.bloomber g.com/apps/ news?pid=

20601202 & sid=arcAPvYRDKn4 & refer=healthcare

> AstraZeneca Was Aware of Seroquel Risks in 2000, Records

> Show Email | Print | A A A

>  

> By Joe Schneider and Margaret Cronin Fisk

>  

> Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc., facing more than

> 15,000 consumer claims alleging the antipsychotic drug Seroquel causes

diabetes,

> knew about the risk as far back as 2000, according to company documents shown

in

> federal court.

>  

> AstraZeneca Global Safety Officer Wayne Geller concluded there

> was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause†diabetes

and

> related conditions, according to documents presented yesterday in federal

court

> in Tampa, Florida. Geller drew his conclusions following a review of available

> studies and internal trials, according to the documents.

>  

> The internal documents were shown publicly for the first time

> during a hearing over the qualifications of expert witnesses the plaintiffs

plan

> to use at trial. They are to testify in a lawsuit over the drug’s effects

when

> the proceeding begins in February. While portions of the documents were shown

in

> court, the filings remain sealed at the request of the London-based

> pharmaceutical company.

>  

> Seroquel, used to treat bipolar disorder, brought in $4.03

> billion last year, making it AstraZeneca’s second-biggest seller after its

ulcer

> treatment Nexium. The company is trying to broaden the medicine’s use to

offset

> revenue lost as pricing pressure in the U.S. reduces demand for

> Nexium.

>  

> AstraZeneca is facing claims over the drug in state and

> federal courts in the U.S. The company has had an additional 2,243 cases

> dismissed or dropped. The initial trial, set to begin Feb. 2, is based on a

> complaint filed by Guinn of Palm Bay, Florida.

>  

> Developed Diabetes

>  

> Guinn claimed she developed diabetes after taking Seroquel.

> The drug is part a class of newer antipsychotic drugs including Eli Lilly &

> Co.’s Zyprexa and & ’s Risperdal. Thousands of consumers

have

> sued the companies claiming they hid the risks of the drugs and marketed them

> for unapproved purposes. Lilly has paid $1.2 billion to settle 31,000 claims

by

> individuals.

>  

> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a Jan. 8 letter,

> asked AstraZeneca to provide an analysis of all its clinical trials relating

to

> Seroquel, Pennock, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge

Anne

> Conway yesterday, showing her the letter.

>  

> AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4

> percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood

> became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100

> milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of

126

> milligrams, said Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist,

who

> read in court from the company report.

>  

> 1.4 Percent

>  

> That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a

> placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett

testified,

> makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would

develop

> diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.

>  

> “It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,†she

> said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.â€

>  

> AstraZeneca lawyer Jane Thorpe said that was just a part of

> the company’s analysis and data showed no significant increases when all

people

> who had a sugar reading of less than 125 milligrams were included.

>  

> Thorpe also questioned Plunkett’s conclusions, saying she

> relied only on studies that supported her views and ignored those that

didn’t

> show an increased tendency for people taking Seroquel to develop

> diabetes.

>  

> Studies have shown that Seroquel and similar medications known

> as atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.

> These studies prompted the FDA to require AstraZeneca and other drugmakers to

> warn doctors of the risks in September 2003. AstraZeneca doesn’t intend to

> settle these lawsuits, company spokesman Tony Jewell said in an

> interview.

>  

> “We intend to litigate these cases on the merits,†he

> said.

>  

> The case is In Re Seroquel Products Litigation, 06-MD- 01769,

> U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

>  

> To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Tampa,

> Florida, at jschneider5@ bloomberg. net and;

> Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfiskbloomberg (DOT) net . Last

Updated:

> December 5, 2008 00:01 EST

>