Pharmaceutical medications are intended to enhance health and bring relief from sickness and disease. As consumers, most of us take prescription and over-the-counter medications at some point in our lives. We trust that the products will help us and that the companies who sell these drugs ensure that they are safe before they are ever sold to the general public.
However, sometimes a drug intended to alleviate suffering, actually causes injury. According to the American Medical Association, adverse reactions to prescription drugs are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and that reactions to prescription and over-the-counter medications kill far more people annually than all illegal drug use combined. We have represented thousands of individuals nationwide who have been injured as a result of dangerous prescription drugs.
We are currently investigating cases for individuals who have suffered serious injuries or death due to use of one of the following drugs:
- Zantac & generic Ranitidine (cancers of the digestive tract).
- Truvada (kidney and bone injuries).
- Zostavax (numerous problems).
- Xeljanz – (pulmonary embolisms and strokes).
- Uloric (heart attacks and strokes).
- Actemra (heart attacks, strokes and acute pancreatitis).
- Saxenda (development of pancreatic cancer).
There are many reasons why a drug’s risk actually outweighs any beneficial purpose. Inadequate clinical trials are a prime reason why drug’s thought to be safe and effective result in serious injury (i.e. the number of participants in the study is not large enough to determine the true risks for causing harm). In addition, drugs may contain inadequate or inaccurate warnings, resulting in them being prescribed to the wrong patients, or co-prescribed with other drugs causing a detrimental, catastrophic event.
Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure that the benefits of the drugs they manufacture and market outweigh the risk of harm. Some drugs have dangerous unreported side effects, while others have the potential to cause serious, long-term damage. Far too often, these drugs are the subject of recalls after the harm has already been done. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a regulatory role in approving and monitoring their safety after approval of a drug, the manufacturer is ultimately liable for any injuries from their medications particularly when they put profits over the health, safety and welfare of their customers.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers may fail to adequately warn about dangers associated with a particular products use. Manufacturers, marketers, and sellers are expected to give adequate warnings about all known dangers, and to provide clear and adequate instructions as to the proper use of a particular drug. When a drug company fails in their responsibility, a product though useful may be discovered to be deadly.
When a consumer is injured, they may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of physical capacity, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. Punitive damages may also available to punish the manufacturer for their egregious conduct and disregard for the safety of the general public.
If you or a loved one have been injured after using a prescription drug, you need experienced legal representatives to protect your rights. Large drug companies, like insurance companies, are very powerful and possess finances to defend themselves when they are caught manufacturing and selling a dangerous drug. Call us toll-free at 1-866-252-3535 or contact us online today. Our firm has the knowledge, experience and the resources to fight these companies and obtain the justice that you deserve.
Do not stop taking any medication without consulting your healthcare provider.
Links
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- FDA Medwatch
- Public Citizen
- General Information on Prescription Drugs