For Canadian Zyprexa victims…

Eli Lilly must treat Canadian Zyprexa victims the same as American ones, according to a recent press release:

Drug giant Eli Lilly and Company announced last week a $US 690 million offer to settle 5,000 claims emanating from the negative side-effects of Zyprexa, a drug prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and conditions such as bipolar disorder.

A class action suit on behalf of those who have suffered negative consequences from Zyprexa, was filed last January in the Supreme Court of British Columbia by the law firm of Poyner Baxter of North Vancouver. The B.C. Zyprexa action alleges a direct link between Zyprexa and diabetes. The Plaintiff, a resident of a home for mentally disabled people, alleges that his use of Zyprexa resulted in diabetes. Options available to this patient for the treatment of the original mental condition are now egregiously limited because of the Zyprexa-induced diabetes. Poyner Baxter will be appearing June 22 before Mr. Justice Stephen F. Kelleher to discuss management of this case in B.C.

But last week, Zyprexa was in the world health headlines, as Eli Lilly announced that $US 690 million would be offered to U.S. claimants. In making the announcement June 9, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer Sidney Taurel, said: “While we believe the claims are without merit, we took this difficult step because we believe it is in the best interest of the company, the patients who depend on this medication, and their doctors. Our decision to resolve these claims does not change the fact that Zyprexa has and will continue to improve the lives of millions of patients around the world who are suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.”

There were 6 million prescriptions for Zyprexa in Canada over the 12 months ending October 2003. Total sales in Canada were valued at $223 million in 2002 and over $4 billion worldwide in 2003. Zyprexa has been associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, hyperglycemia, pancreatitis, ketoacidosis and other injuries. In an October 16, 2003 press release, Eli Lilly disclosed a Health Canada order directing it to include updated information on hyperglycemia and diabetes on the labels of their antipsychotics.

For the rest of the piece, go here. To read the text of the Statement of Claim, go here.