Saturday, March 8, 2008

A Chilly Court: Alaska Attacks Lilly Over Zyprexa

This is the Zyprexa trial we’re talking about. The state, you may recall, sued Lilly in 2006, alleging the drugmaker failed to warn of weight gain and diabetes caused by Zyprexa, and wants Lilly to cover treatment costs of Medicaid patients who suffered serious health problems.

The civil suit is being closely watched by state and federal prosecutors investigating the drugmaker, because this is the first lawsuit filed by a state against Lilly to make it to trial. The outcome - and even the evidence - could, therefore, influence settlement talks under way with the US Attorney in Phildelphia and state attorneys general. An unfavorable verdict could also prompt other states to file lawsuits, although eight others already have done so. (By the way, if you want to read the controversial Zyprexa documents, visit Furious Seasons).

For its part, Lilly argues the state has two irreconcilable positions - at the same time Alaska is suing the drugmaker, the state continues to seek court orders to force mental patients to take the very drug it says is harmful. These are the slides Lilly’s lawyers used in court.

READ MORE @ PHARMALOT