Actavis Lawsuits: First Work-Up Group Formed For 2019 Trial

Actavis Lawsuits: First Work-Up Group Formed For 2019 Trial

Introduction

Testosterone Replacement Therapy lawsuits are centralized before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly in the Northern District of Illinois for coordinated discovery and management, as part of a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) 2545 (In re: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation). It comprises more than 6,500 TRT lawsuits filed against AbbVie, Actavis, Inc. (formerly Watson Pharmaceuticals), Eli Lilly and Company, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Columbia Laboratories, and Auxilium Pharmaceuticals.

Allegations include severe side-effects linked to TRT, such as heart attacks, stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and other serious medical conditions.

Judge Kennelly issued a case management order (PDF) on April 10, identifying the first Actavis Work-Up Group to be ready for trial early next year. The group comprises 30 Androderm cases selected by both the parties which are to be prepared for February and March 2019 jury trials. The judge ordered that the selection of the second group of work-up cases is to be completed by May 15, and the third group by June 29, 2018.

Auxilium and Eli Lilly, the manufacturers of Testim and Axiron are working on finalizing settlements that will help in resolving more than 1,500 lawsuits involving their products.