
There are so many different drugs on the market today for such a wide variety of ailments that if your doctor tells you that you need a particular medication, you probably won't blink an eye. After all, you wouldn't be given a prescription if the drug wasn't safe, right? It is easy to assume that because the pharmaceutical industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the medication they produce must safe. However, if you or a loved one have suffered or been injured by a drug or medical device, then you know differently.
Pharmaceutical Companies Are Not Above the Law
What's becoming clear is that the FDA isn't as on top of "big pharma" as we would like. You just have to tune into the news to hear about the latest mass tort medical scandal. Consider these serious class-action pharmaceutical lawsuits:
Denture Cream- Our firm is currently investigating claims involving the popular denture cream products Fixodent, Poligrip and Super Poligrip. These products have been linked to serious neurological conditions due to excessive zinc used in the products. This toxic level of zinc has been linked to a nervous system disorder called neuropathy, which causes weakness, numbness and loss of control of the muscles, similar to that experienced by muscular dystrophy.
Trasylol - Bayer is being sued because this drug, which was used to inhibit bleeding during cardiac surgery, allegedly increased the risk of heart attacks and kidney failure in its victims. The investigative report by 60 Minutes involving Trasylol, below, aired in February 2008.
Heparin - Contaminated supplies from China have caused thousands of United States citizens to become ill and even die.
Oral Sodium Phosphate - A drug commonly used for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopies has led to kidney failure in many patients.
Gadolinium - A dye used for contrast during MRIs which contains heavy metals that cannot be processed by the body if the patient has kidney problems. The side-effect is an illness called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, a hardening of the skin and joints, which can eventually lead to death.
Digitek (Digoxin) - A medication used to treat congestive heart failure. In April 2008, the drug was recalled when it was discovered that it was not being manufactured properly; twice the active ingredient was found in some tablets. Side effects include low blood pressure, cardiac instability and low heart rate.
Fosamax - A drug used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. The FDA has issued a warning about this drug, because it has been known to cause a severe bone condition in the jaw which can result in bone splinters coming through the gums or an exposed jaw bone in the mouth.
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