Number of Ozempic Side Effects Lawsuits Centralized in Pennsylvania Court Increasing

The number of personal injury lawsuits centralized in a Pennsylvania court over the potential adverse effects of popular weight-loss drugs manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly is increasing, according to an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

The lawsuits claim that these companies failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the side effects of their GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are designed to help regulate blood sugar and manage weight. In February, existing lawsuits within the federal court system were consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Pennsylvania. However, this consolidation does not prevent plaintiffs from pursuing independent lawsuits in state courts.

Alexandra Walsh, a partner at Anapol Weiss, mentioned that there are currently 1,025 cases registered with the court, primarily focused on claims that GLP-1 drugs have caused gastrointestinal damage. The plaintiffs argue that the drug manufacturers did not provide sufficient information about the potential side effects when promoting the advantages of their treatments. Walsh emphasized that the companies should ensure that patients receive fair, balanced, accurate, and comprehensive information regarding the risks involved, enabling them to make informed decisions in consultation with their healthcare providers.

GLP-1 drugs include well-known brands like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy as well as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. These medications aim to assist patients with diabetes and can also help reduce appetite and delay stomach emptying, potentially contributing to weight loss.

Both companies have reported record profits since launching their GLP-1 products. Analysts have projected that global annual sales for such medications could reach approximately $150 billion by early next decade.

In response to the lawsuits, Novo Nordisk, facing a majority of the claims in the MDL, stated that the known risks of their drugs are outlined in regulatory-approved product labeling and affirmed their confidence in the safety and efficacy of all their GLP-1 medications when used appropriately and under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. The company declared that the allegations in the MDL are “without merit” and intends to mount a vigorous defense against these claims.

Representatives from Eli Lilly, which faces a smaller number of lawsuits in the MDL, have not yet issued a comment on the matter.