Trial Begins Over J&J Subsidiary’s Anti-Psychotic Drug

An attorney for the state of Arkansas has asked jurors to hold a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary financially liable for allegedly concealing risks associated with its anti-psychotic drug Risperdal.

Houston attorney Fletch Trammell said Tuesday during opening statements of Arkansas' civil case against Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. that Janssen misled patients and doctors for years about the risk of diabetes and hormonal imbalance associated with Risperdal.

Janssen attorney James Simpson denied the allegations. He told the Little Rock jury that the company didn't deceive doctors or release inaccurate information, and he disputed studies that found Janssen hid safety information.

Janssen recently settled a similar lawsuit with Texas for $158 million but didn't admit liability or fault. Arkansas is seeking an award of up to $2.5 billion.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)