Tequin Lawsuits
The antibiotic Tequin was first approved for distribution in 1999. Three million prescriptions for the drug were filled in 2002.
The consumer group Public Citizen reports that almost 400 patients have registered complaints of blood sugar changes, resulting in 159 hospitalizations and 20 deaths since January 1, 2000. It has petitioned the FDA for a recall of Tequin.
The lawsuit claims that B-MS failed to warn patients of the risks of Tequin.
Class action lawsuit
A class action lawsuit has been filed against the drug maker claiming that Bristol-Myers Squibb failed to warn patients of the risks associated with Tequin.
Tequin brought in $150 million per year in global sales; two-thirds of that was made in the United States. Bristol-Myers Squibb, finally admitting that the risks associated with Tequin are greater than the possible benefits associated with the drug, has decided to stop manufacturing and distributing the widely prescribed antibiotic.
Pharmaceutical companies have the responsibility to inform consumers of potentially fatal side effects linked to the drugs they make. Bristol-Myers Squibb, in allegedly failing to do so, may have cost hundreds of patients thousands of dollars in medical bills, pain and suffering.
