Johnson & Johnson has recently been in the news for asbestos in their talcum powder. Now they are facing additional backlash for their blood thinner drug, Xarelto.
Xarelto, also known as rivaroxaban, is a prescription drug developed by Bayer and Johnson & Johnson. The drug is an oral medication originally approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots in patients who had undergone knee or hip replacement surgery. The drug is also used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, and treat pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in different individuals.
Lawsuits surrounding the drug involve plaintiffs who have suffered uncontrollable and irreversible bleeding which leads to severe injuries and sometimes death.
Plaintiffs have accused the drug makers of failing to warn users of the risks that caused their injury.
Bayer and Johnson & Johnson agreed to settle more than 25,000 lawsuits in the U.S. over for a total of $775 million. Bayer and Johnson & Johnson will split the amount under an agreement that neither will accept liability.
Despite settling, Bayer released a statement that they believe the claims are meritless. Johnson & Johnson also made a statement that they believe in the safety of the drug and that settlement was the right thing to do for patients and their doctors.