Eli Lilly misled the world about Zyprexa

Posted by jd
December 18, 2006

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The Times is reporting that Eli Lilly engaged in a decade-long effort to play down the health risks of Zyprexa, a drug to treat schizophrenia. The same company also makes Prozac – another bestseller – which has also been linked to all kinds of health problems. The paper obtained documents that show that Lilly executives hid critical information from physicians about the drug’s links to obesity and its role in raising blood sugar levels. Both these conditions increase risks for suffering from diabetes. In another shocking revelation, it is revealed that the company also pushed the drug for a non-approved use – treating older people suffering from dementia.

It clearly reminds me of Merck that did exactly the same regarding Vioxx and Pfizer also misled everyone with regards to Celebrex and Bextra.

Is this the best the drug companies can do? It is not only poor ethics but also poor strategy and hurts shareholders (apart from patients). There is already a class action lawsuit related to Zyprexa and more may come soon.

Business strategy

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