The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has ordered the consolidation of all federal testosterone therapy lawsuits before the Hon. Matthew F. Kennelly in the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. District Court.
Currently, 45 plaintiffs have filed testosterone replacement therapy lawsuits alleging they or their loved ones were harmed while taking AndroGel or another similar prescription testosterone replacement drug, according to the order. The plaintiffs allege the popular treatment for low testosterone caused them or their loved ones to experience a heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism after starting the treatment.
The panel ruled to consolidate the cases because they shared similar facts and doing so would streamline the plaintiffs’ cases.
“All testosterone replacement therapy actions will share factual questions regarding general causation and the background science regarding the role of testosterone in the aging body…as well as involve common regulatory issues in the light of the FDA’s announcement and subsequent actions,” the panel wrote in the order.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a safety announcement about low testosterone treatments’ increased risk. Based on new research which found men taking testosterone treatments had a greater chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke, the FDA launched its own investigation of testosterone replacement therapy.
Attorney Trent Miracle, of the Firm, a national pharmaceutical litigation firm, represents men injured while taking low testosterone therapy. The firm filed the first low testosterone lawsuits in the country following the FDA’s warning. Miracle said the testosterone therapy MDL will help men injured by testosterone treatments receive justice in timely manner.
“Low testosterone treatments like AndroGel have been heavily marketed to consumers without regard for the possible risks they could cause,” Miracle said. “These men looked to testosterone treatments to help them maintain their quality of life and instead were seriously injured. I’m looking forward to continue working for our clients and ensuring they receive justice.”
The case is In Re: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2545. Read the order here. Contact the testosterone lawyers at the Firm today to learn more about your legal rights and explore your options regarding filing a testosterone replacement therapy lawsuit.
