Eli Lilly Says Distributor of Axiron Testosterone Product Can’t be Sued Over Cardiovascular Risks

SAN FRANCISCO — The manufacturer of prescription testosterone Axiron has removed a lawsuit filed against it to federal court in California, arguing that a drug distributor and co-defendant was fraudulently joined to the case because it assumed no duty to warn of alleged cardiovascular risks associated with the product.

Eli Lilly and Co. argues in its May 12 notice that none of the allegations in the lawsuit point directly to distributor McKesson Corp.’s liability for the deep vein thrombosis that afflicted plaintiff John Nagel after he used Axiron gel for more than a year.

As a result, the Indiana-based drug …