Furious Seasons

March 13, 2008

The Zyprexa Chronicles: In Alaska Trial, Lilly Witness Argues Against Lilly

There was an interesting turn of events in the trial of Alaska v. Eli Lilly in Anchorage yesterday: Duane Hopson, a psychiatrist at Alaska's state hospital, was originally supposed to be a witness for Lilly but instead testified on behalf of the plaintiffs. He told the court that the company had implied its drug was safe when in fact it had problems.

"'Do you believe patients who were placed on Zyprexa developed diabetes who otherwise would not have developed diabetes if you knew then what you've been told now?' asked attorney Scott Allen, a lawyer from Houston, Texas, who is part of the team representing the state.
"'I think there are,' Hopson answered."

Under cross examination, Hopson said the state sometimes still uses the drug on some patients, but that it's not as a first line agent. The company didn't note that its drug caused blood sugar changes in some patients until last year, more than 10 years after the drug was approved.

In another odd moment, a juror collapsed on the floor before court began. On the basis of that incident, Lilly moved for a mistrial. Motion denied.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at March 13, 2008 08:12 AM

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Comments

"In another odd moment, a juror collapsed on the floor before court began. On the basis of that incident, Lilly moved for a mistrial. Motion denied."

Lol. Not laughing at the juror's misfortune. Lilly's move sounds like something out of Law & Order. So does the ruling on that matter.

Posted by: Marissa Miller at March 13, 2008 05:36 PM

"In another odd moment, a juror collapsed on the floor before court began. On the basis of that incident, Lilly moved for a mistrial. Motion denied."

I seen a lot of weid stuff in my many years of law, jury tainting was my first thought when I read this. Move for a mistrial? Based on what grounds? Wow, I am sure there is a Law and Order episode coming out of this soon.

Posted by: Angie at March 14, 2008 09:12 AM

phil: sorry for trying to reach you through the comment section, but your email function isn't working. I thought you might be interested in my latest post; I've also cited and linked to yours. thanks for linking to mine.
http://www.starkmanassociates.com/2008/03/14/eli-lilly-transition-therapeutics/

Posted by: eric starkman at March 14, 2008 11:14 AM

"In another odd moment, a juror collapsed on the floor before court began."

That'll be Zyprexa-induced hypoglycaemia.

Posted by: Felicity at March 15, 2008 03:12 AM

you know that tainted thing crossed my mind and i never imagined it could happen; i'm too trusting is my problem. does that happen!? and then for them to jump on mistrial. scrambling for any out possible so they can push more zyprexa on innocent people!

Posted by: Stephany at March 15, 2008 08:54 PM