Actemra Legal News Articles & Interviews

Washington, DC: A recent presentation at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology identified various factors that might predict the capacity for a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to have success in tapering dosage of biologic medication such as Actemra (tocilizumab). The presentation was based on a study conducted by Dr. Takaaki Komiya and colleagues from Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine. However, according to WebMD (11/06/17), there was no mention of Actemra linked to heart attacks and deaths.

Washington, DC How is this possible when few, if any, Actemra lawsuits have even been filed yet? The answer lies in the tried-and-true defense pharmaceutical companies, like Roche and its subsidiary Genentech, will reach for first: the statute of limitations. The best thing a potential plaintiff can do is to file a lawsuit as soon as possible. Don’t wait.

Santa Clara, CA: On the heels of a STAT investigation that linked the rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra to a number of deaths and many serious complications not listed on its label, attorneys are investigating potential lawsuits against Roche-Genentech, the manufacturer.

Washington, DC Some law firms and at least one organization that finances mass tort litigation seem to think so. But what does it mean for the little guy when big dogs start to circle around the likelihood that Actrema lawsuits will be consolidated into multidistict litigation (MDL)? Is this a good thing or a bad thing for someone who has had a heart attack after being treated with Actemra? Here’s some background for talking to a lawyer about what happened to you.

Washington, DC: Given the fact that Actemra is marketed without warning of heart failure, stroke, and other serious injuries like its competitors must do, one would think it is the wonder drug for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Until research and adverse event reports (AERS) got in the way and showed the med was just as likely to cause serious injuries as competing drugs - and given attorneys are investigating these AERS,  Actemra lawsuits may be on the horizon.

Denver, CO: Law firms across the US are taking a serious interest in a recent investigative piece of journalism by STAT news published on June 5, 2017 which revealed, “The Food and Drug Administration has received reports on 1,128 people who died after taking Actemra, and has reviewed its safety several times since it was approved. But the agency doesn’t have sophisticated tools to determine whether the drug was a culprit or a bystander in those deaths.”

Boston, MA: The concern with any medication actively targeting a common ailment associated with a large and growing demographic is the potential for disaster were something to go awry, such as unforeseen side effects and adverse reactions. In the case of Actemra side effects, the fallout appears to be compelling: Actemra is commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, a common complaint of the elderly. Baby Boomers, a massive demographic, are just now beginning to shift into their retirement years.