Eisai Inc., a subsidiary of Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai Co., Ltd, manufactures weight loss medications Belviq and Belviq XR — but in February 2020, the manufacturer voluntarily pulled these drugs from the market. This decision came after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered unsettling data from the manufacturer’s post-approval study: Belviq and Belviq XR may increase the risk of certain cancers among its patients. Now, many Belviq patients are filing claims against Eisai, Inc. over the impact of their cancers.
The Difference Between Eisai, Inc. and Eisai Co., Ltd.
Eisai Co., Ltd. is the corporation that oversaw Belviq manufacturing. This pharmaceutical company is based in Tokyo, Japan, and has locations all over the world. Its subsidiary Eisai Inc., on the other hand, is based in the United States, with its medical research headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Additional Eisai Co. Ltd. locations within the United States include research facilities in North Carolina, manufacturing sites in North Carolina and Maryland, and the Eisai Research Institute and the Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery Institute in Massachusetts.
In addition to Belviq, a weight loss medication, Eisai Co. Ltd. and its partners also produce the following medications.
- Fragmin, an anticoagulant to treat pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis
- Banzel, a seizure medication for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome patients
- Halaven, a prescription injection to treat advanced breast cancer
- Gliadel, a medication wafer implanted into the brain after tumor removal surgery
- Aloxi, a prescription medicine to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Eisai, Inc.’s Response to the Belviq Recall
The post-approval study that uncovered Belviq’s cancer risk discovered that 7.7% of Belviq patients developed cancer over the course of the study, while the placebo group developed cancer at a 7.1% rate. While the 0.6% difference may not seem startling high, this data still points to a disturbing trend. After analyzing the results of the study, the FDA asked Eisai, Inc. to voluntarily recall Belviq and Belviq XR.
However, Eisai, Inc. is continuing to defend itself from the FDA’s withdrawal judgment, despite complying with the recall in February 2020. According to the Belviq website, the manufacturer asserts that the potential benefits of the drugs outweigh the possible risks, and that the company’s interpretation of the data differs from the FDA analysis.
Cancer is a devastating diagnosis that can radically impact your daily life. While the intended benefits of Belviq and Belviq XR were positive, there are many weight loss options patients can choose that do not put them at risk for cancer. If you developed colorectal, pancreatic, or lung cancer after taking Belviq, there are legal options available to you.
Do You Need Help After Taking Belviq?
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a daunting experience, and battling this disease can be costly, painful, and emotionally turbulent. If you developed cancer after taking Belviq or Belviq XR, you deserve justice — and you can obtain this justice through a civil lawsuit against the drugs’ manufacturer.
Defective drug lawsuits allow you to collect compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages you suffer due to the manufacturer’s negligence. A successful settlement can pay for past and future medical care, lost wages or future earnings, pain, and suffering, and more — but you will need an attorney on your side to guide you through the process.
If you wish to file a Belviq lawsuit against Eisai, Inc., contact a firm working on Belviq litigation as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you understand the legal process, the damages you qualify for, and the evidence necessary to prove your right to compensation.