Do You Need Januvia Legal Representation?

When Dr. Peter C. Butler was asked by Merck to test its new diabetes drug, Januvia, on rats to determine whether it was safe, he initially declined. Eventually Dr. Butler changed his mind—a decision Merck & Co. likely regrets. Dr. Butler began testing Januvia on laboratory rats, finding changes in the rats’ pancreases which suggested a link to pancreatic cancer. By 2008—two years after Januvia obtained FDA approval—Dr. Butler had turned into a crusader against the drug. The follow-up studies done by Dr. Butler made him even more certain that Januvia could contain potential risk factors for the development of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Dr. Butler noted that Januvia and other drugs containing sitagliptin work by increasing levels of a hormone known as glucagonlike peptide-1.

The increase in that hormone could well accelerate precancerous conditions which are already present in those in middle age. Just as the hormone estrogen appears to promote the growth of breast tumors, the glucagon hormone increased by Januvia could give cells just the “hit” they need to turn cancerous. Based on Dr. Butler’s studies, both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency began investigations which could lead to new warnings on Januvia. At this point over forty lawsuits have been filed against Merck & Co., regarding harm suffered from Januvia. The National Institutes of Health will hold a two-day meeting on possible links between diabetes drugs and pancreatic cancer and Dr. Butler is scheduled to speak at that meeting.

Getting Januvia Legal Help

Those who took Januvia and developed a serious illness could benefit from speaking to a qualified attorney to discuss a Januvia lawsuit and potential Januvia damages. From the time Januvia was approved by the FDA in 2006, 88 adverse reports came in from those taking the drug and suffering from pancreatitis by 2009. More adverse reports came in after those initial cases which prompted the FDA to require Merck to increase the warnings on Januvia labeling, first in 2009 and later in 2012. If you believe you developed pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or thyroid cancer as a result of taking Januvia, it’s important that you consider seeing an attorney. Preserving your Januvia claim is extremely critical at this juncture as you may have large amounts of medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering as the result of a drug you believed to be safe.

Januvia Statute of Limitations

Once you speak with a qualified Januvia attorney, you will likely more fully understand how your Januvia claim will proceed. A competent Januvia attorney will conduct a thorough assessment of your right to file your Januvia case and lay out your options. The statute of limitations can range from one year to five years, depending on which state you live in, although the typical statute is two years. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations and it is extremely important that this deadline be met in order to protect your right to file your Januvia case. If a drug has been recalled, then the statute of limitations is clear, however Januvia has not been recalled therefore it may be more difficult to determine when the statute began to run. An experienced and knowledgeable Januvia attorney may be able to help you even if the statute has passed on your particular case, but he or she will need to know the particular circumstances of your case.