Defective Drugs

When your trusted family physician scribbles a prescription for a medication, do you ever wonder whether you're gambling with your life? The truth is that there are numerous FDA-approved medicines on the market today that many fear are actually defective drugs. Though all medications have the possibility of side effects, those of defective drugs are particularly adverse and frightening. Just look at a few of the complaints below...

Ortho Evra - Birth Control Patch linked to blood clots

Paxil - linked to birth defects in newbornes

Zelnorm - linked to increased risk of cardiac events

Permax/Dostinex - linked to heart valve damage

Fosamax - linked to increaed risk of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)

Aransep - linked to risk of adverse effects including extreme high blood pressure, blood clots and death

Epogen - linked to risk of death, heart attack, hospitalizations for heart failure and stroke in patients with chronic kidney disease

Procrit - linked to serious and life threatening cardiovascular complications

So... are these truly defective drugs? Though the FDA doesn't necessarily think so, many consumers of the medications do. And whether they work for their intended purposes or not, if they are defective drugs, they shouldn't be available to the public without further research on their contraindications and side effects.

If you or someone you care about has taken a medication and suffered adverse side effects, we urge you to contact our law offices today. You may have actually injected or ingested a defective drug; if so, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for any pain and suffering that resulted from your experiences with the product.

A phone call to us is free and you'll be under no obligation to file a claim. You also won't be charged for our services if you decide to proceed with a lawsuit against the makers of the allegedly defective drugs; unlike other attorneys', we won't get paid until and unless you do.

Call today and help us send a message to the pharmaceutical manufacturers - allowing defective drugs to enter the public's bloodstream is unacceptable.

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Defective Drug News

January 31, 2008
The FDA announced today that is has completed review of reports of suicidal behavior from its clinical studies of 11 drugs used to treat epilepsy, psychiatric disorders and other conditions. In the Agencies investigation patients using the following antiepileptic drugs had twice the risk of suicidal behavior than those taking placebo:

Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)
• Felbamate (marketed as Felbatol)
• Gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin)
• Lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal)
• Levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra)
• Oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal)
• Pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica)
• Tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril)
• Topiramate (marketed as Topamax)
• Valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon)
• Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran)

October 29th, 2007
Roche and FDA notified healthcare providers that use of CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is associated with increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and increased risk of congenital malformations, especially external ear and facial abnormalities including cleft lip and palate, and anomalies of the distal limbs, heart, esophagus, and kidney. Based on postmarketing data from the United States National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry and additional postmarketing data collected in women exposed to systemic mycophenolate mofetil during pregnancy, the pregnancy category for CellCept has been changed from Category C (risk of fetal harm cannot be ruled out) to Category D (positive evidence of fetal risk). Labeling changes include the following sections: BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS/Pregnancy and Pregnancy Exposure Prevention, PRECAUTIONS/Information for Patients, and ADVERSE REACTIONS/Postmarketing Experience.

Within one week of beginning CellCept therapy, women of childbearing potential should have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test. In addition, women of childbearing potential (including pubertal girls and peri-menopausal woman) taking CellCept must receive contraceptive counseling and use effective contraception. Healthcare professionals and patients should be aware that CellCept reduces blood levels of the hormones in the oral contraceptive pill and could theoretically reduce its effectiveness. See the Dear Healthcare Professional Letter for additional recommendations for women of childbearing potential. Click for MedWatch Alert

October 16, 2007
FDA has reviewed 30 postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta (exenatide), a drug used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. An association between Byetta and acute pancreatitis is suspected in some of these cases. Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has agreed to include information about acute pancreatitis in the PRECAUTIONS section of the product label.

Healthcare professionals should be alert to the signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis and instruct patients taking Byetta to seek prompt medical care if they experience unexplained, persistent, severe abdominal pain which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. If pancreatitis is suspected, Byetta should be discontinued. If pancreatitis is confirmed, Byetta should not be restarted unless an alternative etiology is identified.
see MedWatch alert: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Byetta

September 21, 2007
MOM Enterprises Inc., and FDA informed consumers and healthcare providers that Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, apple flavor, with a code of 26952V and expiration date of October 2008 (10/08) is being recalled due to the presence of Cryptosporidium infection. The product is labeled Baby's Bliss. Pediatrician Recommended Gripe Water. Apple Flavor. An herbal supplement used to ease the gas and stomach discomfort often associated with colic, hiccups, and teething in infants and children.
see MedWatch alert: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Bliss

August 21, 2007
METABOLISM Apple Cider Dietary Supplement Voluntarily Recalled – Confidence Incorporated announced Tuesday it will be accepting returns of one lot of its Apple Cider Dietary Supplement. The product has been found to contain Sibutramine, which is used most commonly in conjunction with weight loss. As an unapproved dietary supplement, METABOLISM Apple Cider cannot contain drugs that are approved by the FDA, as is Sibutramine. The FDA states the, “safety and effectiveness or this product is unknown.” Both pulse rate and blood pressure increase are concerns raised in using Sibutramine. No incidents have been reported thus far.

August 14, 2007
Abbott Laboratories disseminated a Dear Healthcare Provider Letter throughout the world to physicians and pharmacists that prescribe/distribute Kaletra Oral Solution. The letter informed healthcare professionals of an accidental overdose that occurred with a pediatric patient taking Kaletra Oral Solution. The infant received a significantly large dose of Kaletra and subsequently died. Healthcare professionals should pay special attention to accurate calculation of the dose of Kaletra, transcription of the medication order, dispensing information and dosing instructions to minimize the risk for medication errors.

May 22, 2007
Fleet Phospho-Soda, an over-the-counter pre-colonoscopy bowel cleansing product, has been linked to serious kidney damage/failure. Side effects include significant fluid shifts, severe electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias and renal failure and in extreme cases even death. Fleet Phospho-Soda is manufactured by C.B. Fleet Company.

The main group at risk included patients with preexisting renal insufficiency, patients with bowel perforation, patients taking blood pressure medication, and patients who misused or overdosed on sodium phosphate products in preparation for their colonoscopy.

If you suffered a kidney damage/failure after being administered Fleet Phospho-Soda you may be entitled to compensation. Click here for a free case review.

Daily it seems, we hear of a new drug or course of treatment Obtaining FDA approval, only to learn later that this drug causes painful side effects. How do these drugs make it onto the market? In this article, we will look at some of the most common and frequently asked questions surrounding defective drugs.

What is meant by the term defective drugs?
Many prescription drugs on the market, later become recalled due to adverse and or dangerous side effects. Some even resulting in deaths. If a significant number of negative reports are made surrounding a drug the FDA can get involved in a few ways. They can call for more testing to be done or they can recall it. Based on their results of the testing and an investigation they decide whether or not to label the product a defective drug.

How do defective drugs get on the market?
Well, unfortunately, people tend to be driven by money. And the drugs companies are some of the worst. Many times their data is suspect, leaving out key details. They will streamline testing and some could go so far as top bribe and or threaten FDA officials. The FDA also doesn't have the greatest reputation for conducting follow up tests. Once the drug is approved they will only get involved if a problem arises.

What are some defective drugs?
Currently the 5 most dangerous defective drugs on the market are Accututne, an acne medication, Crester, A cholesterol lowering drug that is liked to kidney failure, Bextra, a pain killer liked to heart attacks, severat, an asthma medication that actually increases the chances of an asthma related death and Merida, a weight loss drug that increases blood pressure. All of these carry their own warnings.

What rights do I have if I am harmed by a defective drug?
If you have suffered a serious injury or illness as a result of a defective drug then you may be entitled to legal compensation. You maybe entitled to claim for pain and suffering, medical expenses incurred and loss of income from missed work. The best advice for you would be to consult a legal expert in this area. They will be able to best advise you on the merits of your case.

Just because a drug receives FDA approval, you should not automatically assume that it will be safe for you. Defective drugs do make it onto the market. Some causing serious illness or death. If this is you situation, get legal advice, it may be worth it.

Defective Drug Statistics

According to defective drug statistics, the effects of defective drugs are quite wide spread. Defective drug statistics show that now in America, more people die from the adverse side effects of prescription drugs than die from the use of illegal drugs. The drugs companies can be held liable for selling a defective product and putting people's lives and health at risk.

All drugs companies that sell their products in the United States must comply with conditions imposed by the FDA. However, just because the FDA approves a drug does not automatically insure that it is safe. According to defective drug statistics many prescription medications make it through the FDA approval process, either via streamlined testing, omitting information or plain bribing and putting pressure on FDA officials.

The drugs and pharmaceuticals industry is a multi-billion dollar business and they may be willing to break a few rules to insure that the profits keep rolling in. In fact, according to defective drug statistics, the drug Vioxx has been blamed for the death of over 55,000 Americans. This was an FDA approved product but they deny all responsibility due to the fact that the drug manufacturers failed to report all of the findings in relation to the side effects of this drug.

Defective drug statistics have also put fear into the FDA. Instead of rectifying the problems they are now denying responsibility and playing the blame game. Some have gone so far as accuse FDA officials of working with the drugs companies to set and or change the rules regarding testing,, approval and compensation. This is scary because if true, the two forces working together will have total control over the drugs market robbing the consumer of safety and choice.

According to defective drug statistics, there are currently 30 drugs on the market that can cause adverse side effects. The defective drugs statistics name the top 5 most dangerous drugs as Accetune an acne medication, Crester, a cholesterol lowering drug that is linked to kidney failure, Bextra, a pain killer that is linked to heart attacks, Severant, an asthma medication that actually increases the chances of an asthma related death and Merida, a weight loss drug that is linked to high blood pressure. These should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Defective drug statistics name several prescription drugs as having adverse side effects and even dangerous. If you have been prescribed a drug that is on the list of statistics, speak to your physician. It could save your life.

Defective Drug Statute of Limitations

Drugs companies and the medical profession have both a legal and a medical obligation to provide you with a standard of care. They are not allowed to knowingly prescribe medicines that are unsafe. They are also not allowed to use equipment that could pose a serious risk to your health. They can be held liable, to a degree if the product is later discovered to cause adverse side effects. If you are harmed through negligence or incompetence then you do have the right to seek compensatory damages. These can be for medical expenses incurred, pain and suffering, and wages through loss of work time.

However, when should you act? What should you do? If you believe you have been wronged then the best advice is to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. The reason being, dependent upon where you live and your type of claim you may be up against a defective drugs statue of limitations.

You may be wondering, what is a defective Drugs Statue of limitation? Defective drugs statue of limitations places a time limit on the amount of time in which a plaintiff can raise a complaint,. It is designed to protect against people bringing claims that are thought no longer valid.

You may be wondering. How do I know hen my defective drugs statue of limitations runs out? It depends on which state you live in. These cases usually start in the state courts and being we have 50 states all with their own laws, this will largely govern what your imitations are.

How do they generally figure out a defective drugs statute of limitations? It varies, some decide from the date of the actual afflicted injury. However, in cases such as defective drugs, it may be slightly more difficult in that your injury may not have been visible immediately. In these cases, some states have used the term known as ascertainment. This basically means your defective drugs statute of limitations will begin from when any person of reasonable intelligence and mental capabilities would be able to ascertain that there is indeed an injury.

If you have been wronged or suspect that you have been, you really shouldn't hesitate. Yes, you could be entitled to compensation however, because of defective drugs statue of limitations you could loose you opportunity if you leave it too long. Defective drugs statue of limitations are designed to keep people from bringing old and out dated cases to court. Depending on your area, you may be facing a defective drugs statute of limitations, sooner than you think.