On January 25, 2018, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) heard arguments regarding whether to centralize federal lawsuits filed by individuals who have suffered heart failure after taking the diabetes drug saxagliptin (marketed as Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR). Saxagliptin is part of the class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor drugs, which are used with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. (These medicines lower blood sugar by helping the body increase the level of the hormone insulin after meals. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into the tissues, so the body can use the sugar as a source of energy and keep blood sugar levels stable.)
The claimants asked the JPML to consolidate the cases as a “MDL” (multi-district litigation) and to consolidate them in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. A MDL is a type of legal proceeding that helps federal courts efficiently manage many similar cases filed in many different courts across the U.S. by allowing the temporary transfer of all of the federal civil lawsuits to one or more district courts for pretrial consolidation or coordination. The JPML is a group of federal judges designated by the Chief Justice of the United States, which has the responsibility for determining which cases qualify for treatment, as well as which district court to transfer and consolidate these cases. The transfers are made if the Panel determines that the transfers will result in the convenience of the parties and witnesses and will promote the just and efficient conduct of the cases. Even if consolidated, however, each Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR case would maintain its own individual identity. (For more information about MDLs and the JPML, contact Borgess Law.)
The Onglyza & Kombiglyze XR lawsuits against the manufacturer allege that it failed to properly warn patients and doctors about the risks of the medications, including the risk of heart failure. In 2013, a study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that DPP-4 inhibitors increased the risk of heart failure by more than 25%. The FDA updated the warnings in April 2016, announcing the change in a drug safety communication. The FDA updated warning notes that DDP-4 medications like Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR may increase the risk of heart failure, especially for patients with heart or kidney disease. Heart failure can result in the heart not being able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs and can be fatal.
Borgess Law will continue to keep you updated on the status of the litigation.
How We Can Help:
If you or someone you love suffered heart failure, congestive heart failure, cardiac failure or death while taking Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR, you may have a claim and you should be aware of the ongoing litigation.
Attorney Pamela A. Borgess, the founder of Borgess Law, LLC, has extensive experience with numerous national high-profile defective medical drug/device cases. Attorney Borgess will happy to discuss your legal options. For more information about the Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR lawsuits or to discuss a potential claim, contact Borgess Law at (567) 455-5955. You can also contact Borgess Law by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law never charges for initial consultations. We welcome any questions you may have.