The Attorney General of Texas, US, has requested documents relating to a recall of the diabetes drug Actos from pharmaceutical companies Takeda and Eli Lilly as part of an ongoing investigation into deadly side-affects including heart-failure and cancer.

US-based Lilly received a civil investigative demand in December, seeking the “production of a wide range of documents and information related to Actos”.

Japan-based Takeda confirmed that they had received a similar request, and both companies are cooperating with the investigation.

Lilly and Takeda co-promoted the drug in the US from its introduction in 1999 until 2006, when Lilly’s marketing rights expired. Takeda has marketed the drug in the US since.