ClassAction.org is reporting that lawsuits allege Abbot Laboratories Inc. took part in “disease mongering” to promote its testosterone replacement therapy, AndroGel. According to these lawsuits, Abbott spent nearly $80 million building a “previously nonexistent market” for AndroGel and the “low T” medical condition to convince millions of men that they suffered from low levels of testosterone. Abbott allegedly promoted its testosterone replacement therapy for symptoms that are associated with natural conditions of aging, including fatigue and loss of stamina. As a result, testosterone prescriptions increased “exponentially,” and Abbott made nearly $1.4 billion in AndroGel sales during 2013.
As part of its marketing campaign, Abbott launched the websites IsItLowT.com and DriveForFive.com. The first website consists of a quiz that allows men to test whether they may be suffering from low levels of testosterone by answering questions including “are you falling asleep after dinner?” and “have you experienced a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?” According to the quiz, if men answer “yes” to these questions, they may be suffering from symptoms of low testosterone; however, the lawsuits allege that “most doctors agree that these symptoms can be caused by an abundance of factors, the most prominent of which is the natural aging process.” Furthermore, Abbott allegedly approached a doctor to write the quiz and told him “don’t make it too long and make it somewhat sexy.” The plaintiffs claim that Dr. John Morley, director of endocrinology and geriatrics at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, “scribbled” the questionnaire on a piece of toilet paper within 20 minutes. DriveForFive.com also promotes the use of prescription testosterone, suggesting that men should have their testosterone levels tested annually, along with cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and signs of prostate cancer.
The sales of prescription testosterone therapies have more than doubled since 2006, Businessweek reported. While the plaintiffs allege that Abbott’s “aggressive” marketing misled users about the prevalence of “low T,” the lawsuits also claim that the manufacturer downplayed the risks associated with AndroGel. According to a recent warning from the FDA, men using prescription testosterone may be at risk for heart attacks, strokes and even death. Men who have taken legal action against Abbott allege that the company failed to adequately warn patients and physicians about these life-threatening cardiovascular events.
If you or someone you know suffered from a serious cardiovascular event after using AndroGel or another testosterone replacement therapy, you may have legal recourse. For more information on filing a lawsuit, visit http://www.classaction.org/testosterone-therapy.
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