Alaska - Day 6 + Connecticut AG blasts Lilly's Zyprexa illegal marketing campaign

[Guest guest]

1. Alaska Mental Hospital Director says patients taking Zyprexa

developed diabetes

2. The trial is down to 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused.

3. Connecticut Attorney General blasts Lilly's Zyprexa " illegal

marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens - causing

severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems... Eli Lilly

adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients, sales over

safety. "

Anchorage Daily News

Alaska Psychiatric Institute patients on Zyprexa got diabetes, official

says

TRIAL: Medical director testifies risks weren't fully known.

By LISA DEMER ldemer@...

March 13th, 2008

Patients taking the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa needlessly developed

diabetes because doctors didn't have all the information about risks,

the medical director of Alaska's only public mental hospital said in

court Wednesday.

The state of Alaska is suing drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. over Zyprexa,

contending the company failed to warn of problems including weight gain,

high blood sugar and diabetes. The state wants Lilly to pay the costs to

Medicaid of treating those health problems.

In opening statements last week in Anchorage Superior Court, a lawyer

for Lilly told jurors that the company, not the state, would call Duane

Hopson, medical director of Alaska Psychiatric Institute, to testify,

and that he would talk about how Zyprexa was still prescribed at the

hospital.

But when Hopson, a psychiatrist and president of the Alaska Psychiatric

Association, testified Wednesday, it was as the state's witness.

LABEL CHANGES

Zyprexa was approved for treatment of schizophrenia in 1996 and in 2000

for treatment of bipolar mania. The drug's label was changed a number of

times over the years and eventually included warnings and

recommendations to test patient glucose levels for signs of diabetes.

But only in 2007 -- 11 years after Zyprexa came on the market -- did the

label say it was more likely to raise a patient's blood sugar than most

similar anti-psychotic drugs.

" Do you believe patients who were placed on Zyprexa developed diabetes

who otherwise would not have developed diabetes if you knew then what

you've been told now? " asked attorney , a lawyer from

Houston, Texas, who is part of the team representing the state.

" I think there are, " Hopson answered.

Even before Lilly advised it, API began closely monitoring patients on

Zyprexa, he said. The hospital in October 2004 changed its protocol and

began to weigh patients and test their blood for glucose and lipids as

concerns about Zyprexa mounted, he said. Patients with elevated blood

sugar would probably be given another drug, he said.

The court day started with a scare. Just as jurors were filing into the

courtroom, a juror in his 60s became light-headed and collapsed, hitting

his head on the way down. Someone called 911. A psychiatrist who may

testify for the state rushed in to help. Medics came and took Juror No.

13 away on a gurney. He wasn't at either Providence Alaska Medical

Center or Alaska Regional Hospital later in the day, so it wasn't

possible to get his condition.

Lilly asked for a mistrial. Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner ruled

against the company.

The trial resumed, with 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused. Testimony began a week ago and is expected to take another

seven days or so.

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Blumenthal Sues Eli Lilly For Illegally Marketing Antipsychotic Drug

Zyprexa For Unapproved Uses

March 11, 2008

Attorney General Blumenthal today sued Eli Lilly and Company,

Inc. for illegally marketing its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa for

unapproved uses, and concealing the drug's serious side effects, for

more than a decade.

Eli Lilly allegedly corrupted physicians, pharmacies and administrators

at nursing homes and youth detention centers as part of a massive

illegal marketing campaign to promote Zyprexa for unapproved off-label

uses, including for the treatment of children.

The deceptive marketing campaign dangerously concealed risks associated

with Zyprexa, including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and

significant weight gain.

In a lawsuit filed today, Blumenthal seeks to recover millions of

taxpayer and consumer dollars improperly spent on Zyprexa as a result of

its illegal marketing, and millions more spent for treatment of serious

side effects from Zyprexa.

" The illegal marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens -

causing severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems, "

Blumenthal said. " This scheme involved payments to public officials,

bogus educational events and ghostwritten promotional articles

summarizing suspect studies. The drug was marketed for anxiety,

depression and Attention Deficit Disorder in children when it was never

approved for any use in children and caused serious side effects.

" Through a complex series of illegal rackets and lies, Eli Lilly built a

multi-billion dollar drug enterprise at the expense of taxpayers,

consumers and patient lives. Today's action seeks millions for

Connecticut taxpayers and consumers who continue to suffer the financial

and physical ruin resulting from the improper prescribing of Zyprexa.

" Eli Lilly adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients,

sales over safety. Driven by fierce greed, Eli Lilly corrupted doctors,

pharmacies and public officials nationwide who easily abandoned

integrity and decency for self-enrichment. My office will fight

aggressively on behalf of Connecticut citizens who continue to pay the

price of Eli Lilly's illegal, senseless schemes. "

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

25,502 Signatures Against TeenScreen. Video:

Petition:

English http://www.petitiononline.com/TScreen/petition.html

Spanish http://www.psychsearch.net/votos.html

Italian http://www.psychsearch.net/italiani.html

French http://www.enfantshyperactifs.com/petition-a-signer/

[Guest guest]

1. Alaska Mental Hospital Director says patients taking Zyprexa

developed diabetes

2. The trial is down to 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused.

3. Connecticut Attorney General blasts Lilly's Zyprexa " illegal

marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens - causing

severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems... Eli Lilly

adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients, sales over

safety. "

Anchorage Daily News

Alaska Psychiatric Institute patients on Zyprexa got diabetes, official

says

TRIAL: Medical director testifies risks weren't fully known.

By LISA DEMER ldemer@...

March 13th, 2008

Patients taking the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa needlessly developed

diabetes because doctors didn't have all the information about risks,

the medical director of Alaska's only public mental hospital said in

court Wednesday.

The state of Alaska is suing drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. over Zyprexa,

contending the company failed to warn of problems including weight gain,

high blood sugar and diabetes. The state wants Lilly to pay the costs to

Medicaid of treating those health problems.

In opening statements last week in Anchorage Superior Court, a lawyer

for Lilly told jurors that the company, not the state, would call Duane

Hopson, medical director of Alaska Psychiatric Institute, to testify,

and that he would talk about how Zyprexa was still prescribed at the

hospital.

But when Hopson, a psychiatrist and president of the Alaska Psychiatric

Association, testified Wednesday, it was as the state's witness.

LABEL CHANGES

Zyprexa was approved for treatment of schizophrenia in 1996 and in 2000

for treatment of bipolar mania. The drug's label was changed a number of

times over the years and eventually included warnings and

recommendations to test patient glucose levels for signs of diabetes.

But only in 2007 -- 11 years after Zyprexa came on the market -- did the

label say it was more likely to raise a patient's blood sugar than most

similar anti-psychotic drugs.

" Do you believe patients who were placed on Zyprexa developed diabetes

who otherwise would not have developed diabetes if you knew then what

you've been told now? " asked attorney , a lawyer from

Houston, Texas, who is part of the team representing the state.

" I think there are, " Hopson answered.

Even before Lilly advised it, API began closely monitoring patients on

Zyprexa, he said. The hospital in October 2004 changed its protocol and

began to weigh patients and test their blood for glucose and lipids as

concerns about Zyprexa mounted, he said. Patients with elevated blood

sugar would probably be given another drug, he said.

The court day started with a scare. Just as jurors were filing into the

courtroom, a juror in his 60s became light-headed and collapsed, hitting

his head on the way down. Someone called 911. A psychiatrist who may

testify for the state rushed in to help. Medics came and took Juror No.

13 away on a gurney. He wasn't at either Providence Alaska Medical

Center or Alaska Regional Hospital later in the day, so it wasn't

possible to get his condition.

Lilly asked for a mistrial. Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner ruled

against the company.

The trial resumed, with 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused. Testimony began a week ago and is expected to take another

seven days or so.

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Blumenthal Sues Eli Lilly For Illegally Marketing Antipsychotic Drug

Zyprexa For Unapproved Uses

March 11, 2008

Attorney General Blumenthal today sued Eli Lilly and Company,

Inc. for illegally marketing its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa for

unapproved uses, and concealing the drug's serious side effects, for

more than a decade.

Eli Lilly allegedly corrupted physicians, pharmacies and administrators

at nursing homes and youth detention centers as part of a massive

illegal marketing campaign to promote Zyprexa for unapproved off-label

uses, including for the treatment of children.

The deceptive marketing campaign dangerously concealed risks associated

with Zyprexa, including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and

significant weight gain.

In a lawsuit filed today, Blumenthal seeks to recover millions of

taxpayer and consumer dollars improperly spent on Zyprexa as a result of

its illegal marketing, and millions more spent for treatment of serious

side effects from Zyprexa.

" The illegal marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens -

causing severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems, "

Blumenthal said. " This scheme involved payments to public officials,

bogus educational events and ghostwritten promotional articles

summarizing suspect studies. The drug was marketed for anxiety,

depression and Attention Deficit Disorder in children when it was never

approved for any use in children and caused serious side effects.

" Through a complex series of illegal rackets and lies, Eli Lilly built a

multi-billion dollar drug enterprise at the expense of taxpayers,

consumers and patient lives. Today's action seeks millions for

Connecticut taxpayers and consumers who continue to suffer the financial

and physical ruin resulting from the improper prescribing of Zyprexa.

" Eli Lilly adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients,

sales over safety. Driven by fierce greed, Eli Lilly corrupted doctors,

pharmacies and public officials nationwide who easily abandoned

integrity and decency for self-enrichment. My office will fight

aggressively on behalf of Connecticut citizens who continue to pay the

price of Eli Lilly's illegal, senseless schemes. "

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

25,502 Signatures Against TeenScreen. Video:

Petition:

English http://www.petitiononline.com/TScreen/petition.html

Spanish http://www.psychsearch.net/votos.html

Italian http://www.psychsearch.net/italiani.html

French http://www.enfantshyperactifs.com/petition-a-signer/

[Guest guest]

1. Alaska Mental Hospital Director says patients taking Zyprexa

developed diabetes

2. The trial is down to 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused.

3. Connecticut Attorney General blasts Lilly's Zyprexa " illegal

marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens - causing

severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems... Eli Lilly

adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients, sales over

safety. "

Anchorage Daily News

Alaska Psychiatric Institute patients on Zyprexa got diabetes, official

says

TRIAL: Medical director testifies risks weren't fully known.

By LISA DEMER ldemer@...

March 13th, 2008

Patients taking the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa needlessly developed

diabetes because doctors didn't have all the information about risks,

the medical director of Alaska's only public mental hospital said in

court Wednesday.

The state of Alaska is suing drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. over Zyprexa,

contending the company failed to warn of problems including weight gain,

high blood sugar and diabetes. The state wants Lilly to pay the costs to

Medicaid of treating those health problems.

In opening statements last week in Anchorage Superior Court, a lawyer

for Lilly told jurors that the company, not the state, would call Duane

Hopson, medical director of Alaska Psychiatric Institute, to testify,

and that he would talk about how Zyprexa was still prescribed at the

hospital.

But when Hopson, a psychiatrist and president of the Alaska Psychiatric

Association, testified Wednesday, it was as the state's witness.

LABEL CHANGES

Zyprexa was approved for treatment of schizophrenia in 1996 and in 2000

for treatment of bipolar mania. The drug's label was changed a number of

times over the years and eventually included warnings and

recommendations to test patient glucose levels for signs of diabetes.

But only in 2007 -- 11 years after Zyprexa came on the market -- did the

label say it was more likely to raise a patient's blood sugar than most

similar anti-psychotic drugs.

" Do you believe patients who were placed on Zyprexa developed diabetes

who otherwise would not have developed diabetes if you knew then what

you've been told now? " asked attorney , a lawyer from

Houston, Texas, who is part of the team representing the state.

" I think there are, " Hopson answered.

Even before Lilly advised it, API began closely monitoring patients on

Zyprexa, he said. The hospital in October 2004 changed its protocol and

began to weigh patients and test their blood for glucose and lipids as

concerns about Zyprexa mounted, he said. Patients with elevated blood

sugar would probably be given another drug, he said.

The court day started with a scare. Just as jurors were filing into the

courtroom, a juror in his 60s became light-headed and collapsed, hitting

his head on the way down. Someone called 911. A psychiatrist who may

testify for the state rushed in to help. Medics came and took Juror No.

13 away on a gurney. He wasn't at either Providence Alaska Medical

Center or Alaska Regional Hospital later in the day, so it wasn't

possible to get his condition.

Lilly asked for a mistrial. Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner ruled

against the company.

The trial resumed, with 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused. Testimony began a week ago and is expected to take another

seven days or so.

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Blumenthal Sues Eli Lilly For Illegally Marketing Antipsychotic Drug

Zyprexa For Unapproved Uses

March 11, 2008

Attorney General Blumenthal today sued Eli Lilly and Company,

Inc. for illegally marketing its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa for

unapproved uses, and concealing the drug's serious side effects, for

more than a decade.

Eli Lilly allegedly corrupted physicians, pharmacies and administrators

at nursing homes and youth detention centers as part of a massive

illegal marketing campaign to promote Zyprexa for unapproved off-label

uses, including for the treatment of children.

The deceptive marketing campaign dangerously concealed risks associated

with Zyprexa, including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and

significant weight gain.

In a lawsuit filed today, Blumenthal seeks to recover millions of

taxpayer and consumer dollars improperly spent on Zyprexa as a result of

its illegal marketing, and millions more spent for treatment of serious

side effects from Zyprexa.

" The illegal marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens -

causing severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems, "

Blumenthal said. " This scheme involved payments to public officials,

bogus educational events and ghostwritten promotional articles

summarizing suspect studies. The drug was marketed for anxiety,

depression and Attention Deficit Disorder in children when it was never

approved for any use in children and caused serious side effects.

" Through a complex series of illegal rackets and lies, Eli Lilly built a

multi-billion dollar drug enterprise at the expense of taxpayers,

consumers and patient lives. Today's action seeks millions for

Connecticut taxpayers and consumers who continue to suffer the financial

and physical ruin resulting from the improper prescribing of Zyprexa.

" Eli Lilly adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients,

sales over safety. Driven by fierce greed, Eli Lilly corrupted doctors,

pharmacies and public officials nationwide who easily abandoned

integrity and decency for self-enrichment. My office will fight

aggressively on behalf of Connecticut citizens who continue to pay the

price of Eli Lilly's illegal, senseless schemes. "

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

25,502 Signatures Against TeenScreen. Video:

Petition:

English http://www.petitiononline.com/TScreen/petition.html

Spanish http://www.psychsearch.net/votos.html

Italian http://www.psychsearch.net/italiani.html

French http://www.enfantshyperactifs.com/petition-a-signer/

[Guest guest]

1. Alaska Mental Hospital Director says patients taking Zyprexa

developed diabetes

2. The trial is down to 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused.

3. Connecticut Attorney General blasts Lilly's Zyprexa " illegal

marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens - causing

severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems... Eli Lilly

adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients, sales over

safety. "

Anchorage Daily News

Alaska Psychiatric Institute patients on Zyprexa got diabetes, official

says

TRIAL: Medical director testifies risks weren't fully known.

By LISA DEMER ldemer@...

March 13th, 2008

Patients taking the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa needlessly developed

diabetes because doctors didn't have all the information about risks,

the medical director of Alaska's only public mental hospital said in

court Wednesday.

The state of Alaska is suing drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. over Zyprexa,

contending the company failed to warn of problems including weight gain,

high blood sugar and diabetes. The state wants Lilly to pay the costs to

Medicaid of treating those health problems.

In opening statements last week in Anchorage Superior Court, a lawyer

for Lilly told jurors that the company, not the state, would call Duane

Hopson, medical director of Alaska Psychiatric Institute, to testify,

and that he would talk about how Zyprexa was still prescribed at the

hospital.

But when Hopson, a psychiatrist and president of the Alaska Psychiatric

Association, testified Wednesday, it was as the state's witness.

LABEL CHANGES

Zyprexa was approved for treatment of schizophrenia in 1996 and in 2000

for treatment of bipolar mania. The drug's label was changed a number of

times over the years and eventually included warnings and

recommendations to test patient glucose levels for signs of diabetes.

But only in 2007 -- 11 years after Zyprexa came on the market -- did the

label say it was more likely to raise a patient's blood sugar than most

similar anti-psychotic drugs.

" Do you believe patients who were placed on Zyprexa developed diabetes

who otherwise would not have developed diabetes if you knew then what

you've been told now? " asked attorney , a lawyer from

Houston, Texas, who is part of the team representing the state.

" I think there are, " Hopson answered.

Even before Lilly advised it, API began closely monitoring patients on

Zyprexa, he said. The hospital in October 2004 changed its protocol and

began to weigh patients and test their blood for glucose and lipids as

concerns about Zyprexa mounted, he said. Patients with elevated blood

sugar would probably be given another drug, he said.

The court day started with a scare. Just as jurors were filing into the

courtroom, a juror in his 60s became light-headed and collapsed, hitting

his head on the way down. Someone called 911. A psychiatrist who may

testify for the state rushed in to help. Medics came and took Juror No.

13 away on a gurney. He wasn't at either Providence Alaska Medical

Center or Alaska Regional Hospital later in the day, so it wasn't

possible to get his condition.

Lilly asked for a mistrial. Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner ruled

against the company.

The trial resumed, with 12 jurors. Both alternates now have been

excused. Testimony began a week ago and is expected to take another

seven days or so.

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Blumenthal Sues Eli Lilly For Illegally Marketing Antipsychotic Drug

Zyprexa For Unapproved Uses

March 11, 2008

Attorney General Blumenthal today sued Eli Lilly and Company,

Inc. for illegally marketing its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa for

unapproved uses, and concealing the drug's serious side effects, for

more than a decade.

Eli Lilly allegedly corrupted physicians, pharmacies and administrators

at nursing homes and youth detention centers as part of a massive

illegal marketing campaign to promote Zyprexa for unapproved off-label

uses, including for the treatment of children.

The deceptive marketing campaign dangerously concealed risks associated

with Zyprexa, including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and

significant weight gain.

In a lawsuit filed today, Blumenthal seeks to recover millions of

taxpayer and consumer dollars improperly spent on Zyprexa as a result of

its illegal marketing, and millions more spent for treatment of serious

side effects from Zyprexa.

" The illegal marketing campaign exploited children and senior citizens -

causing severe weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems, "

Blumenthal said. " This scheme involved payments to public officials,

bogus educational events and ghostwritten promotional articles

summarizing suspect studies. The drug was marketed for anxiety,

depression and Attention Deficit Disorder in children when it was never

approved for any use in children and caused serious side effects.

" Through a complex series of illegal rackets and lies, Eli Lilly built a

multi-billion dollar drug enterprise at the expense of taxpayers,

consumers and patient lives. Today's action seeks millions for

Connecticut taxpayers and consumers who continue to suffer the financial

and physical ruin resulting from the improper prescribing of Zyprexa.

" Eli Lilly adopted a sick marketing mindset: profits over patients,

sales over safety. Driven by fierce greed, Eli Lilly corrupted doctors,

pharmacies and public officials nationwide who easily abandoned

integrity and decency for self-enrichment. My office will fight

aggressively on behalf of Connecticut citizens who continue to pay the

price of Eli Lilly's illegal, senseless schemes. "

More here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/

+++

25,502 Signatures Against TeenScreen. Video:

Petition:

English http://www.petitiononline.com/TScreen/petition.html

Spanish http://www.psychsearch.net/votos.html

Italian http://www.psychsearch.net/italiani.html

French http://www.enfantshyperactifs.com/petition-a-signer/