Settlement of Rezulin Lawsuit to Provide Money for Research
Eight years ago a class-action lawsuit was launched against drug manufacturers Warner-Lambert Co. and Parke-Davis regarding their diabetes drug Rezulin that was found to have caused severe and sometimes fatal medical issues in those who took it. In December 2007 County Circuit Judge John Hutchison approved a $17.1 million settlement agreement. A number of individuals eligible to receive damages did not claim their money which resulted in a surplus of nearly $8 million in unclaimed monies. The unique settlement arrangement allowed for the unclaimed money to go to diabetes treatment and research in West Virginia. Two orders signed by Hutchison last Wednesday awarded $2.25 million to the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Rural Health Program and $5.67 million to the West Virginia University Department of Pediatrics. Marshall’s funds will be used to help its diabetes center promote better treatment of diabetes issues and add a new focus on diabetes and related disorders to its mobile medical center, which travels around the state performing cancer screenings in rural areas. West Virginia University will use the funds to research a possible link between obesity, diabetes and asthma in the state’s children. Hutchison commended the efforts of both lawyers in the case saying, “I believe the plan for the distribution is an outstanding example of cooperation between the two parties involved, and the distribution is absolutely in the best interest of the citizens of the state of West Virginia.” he said.
