JPML Asked to Consolidate Benicar Lawsuits

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. developed the prescription medication Benicar (Olmesartan Medoxomil) to treat high blood pressure. In April 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Benicar. Since that time, it has become a widely prescribed blood pressure medication.

However, researchers have discovered Benicar use has a high association with patient development of several health conditions and a number of harmful side effects. Some side effects reportedly experienced by Benicar consumers include the following:

• Chronic diarrhea
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Sprue-like enteropathy
• Sudden and severe weight loss
• Other gastrointestinal problems regularly misdiagnosed as celiac symptoms
• Villous atrophy

A growing number of patients who were injured after taking Benicar have sued the manufacturers, which are Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories.

A motion has been filed with the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPML”), seeking to consolidate all Benicar injury lawsuits filed throughout the federal court system. Currently, there are at least 15 different product liability lawsuits filed nationwide in United States District Courts, which all involve allegations that Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories failed to adequately warn users about the risk of chronic diarrhea and sprue-like enteropathy that may be caused by side effects of Benicar.

The JPML is expected to schedule oral arguments on the motion at an upcoming hearing.