Takeda Pharmaceuticals sued over claims Actos causes bladder cancer

A drug manufacturer is facing a lawsuit over claims one of its prescription drugs increases the risk of bladder cancer.

Richard and Barbara Starr filed a lawsuit Oct. 29 in the Circuit Court of Cook County against against Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical U.S.A. Inc., formerly known as Takeda Pharmaceutical North America Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. LTD, citing strict liability, negligence and loss of consortium.

Richard Starr says he was was prescribed and began taking the medication Actos in 1999 and was diagnosed with bladder cancer on Nov. 4, 2011. The complaint contends the defendants concealed knowledge and failed to warn consumers that Actos can cause bladder cancer when taken for more than 12 months.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of the jurisdictional limits.

They are being represented by Tor A. Hoerman, Eric Terry and Jacob W. Plattenberger of TorHoerman Law LLC in Chicago and Gregory S. Spizer and Tracy Finken of Anapol Schwartz in Philadelphia, Pa.

Cook County Circuit Court case No. 2013L011940.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.