Bayer the latest in anticoagulant lawsuit action

German drug major Bayer (BAYN: DE) is just one of the latest companies to be facing law suits over its anticoagulant, according to Reuters. Although relatively few US law suits have been brought against the company over its blood-thinning Xarelto (rivaroxaban), it fits in with a picture of growing concern over anticoagulants. Since entering the market, however, Xarelto’s safety profile has remained in line with what was expected from its clinical trials.

French regulatory bodies have carried out tests to assess the suitability of various anticoagulants, which have been deemed safe, but this has not stopped concern around the new oral anticoagulants. Designed to replace the 60-year-old anticoagulant warfarin, these new drugs have likewise been accused of causing sarious or fatal hemorrhaging.

In addition, earlier this year, Boehringer Ingelheim settled for $650 million in all state and federal cases surrounding its anticoagulant Pradaxa, which exceeded 2,000 law suits.