Category: Pharmaceutical Negligence

People with a DePuy ASR hip replacement implant are experiencing a high rate of failure and pain associated with this device, sometimes shortly after surgery.  See New York Times Johnson & Johnson Recalls Hip Implants People with the DePuy ASR have filed lawsuits because, despite reports of injury with this device, the manufacturer failed to inform doctors and patients of the known risks associated with this device and waited to issue a DePuy recall until August 2010. The Manufacturer of the DePuy ASR has Issued a DePuy Recall Due to a High Rate of Failure (Bloomberg). The DePuy ASR is a Metal on Metal (MoM) prosthetic device consisting of a ball and corresponding socket… Read More

The dangers of the Type II Diabetes drug Actos have led to a plethora of lawsuits around the United States.  What are the possible side effects of Actos? New or worsening heart problems (including congestive heart failure) Bladder Cancer The side effects are of such a serious nature that a new WARNING was issued by FDA in June 2011.  Here’s a direct quote from the FDA Warning: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Information about this… Read More

NuvaRing is a combination hormonal contraceptive ring that is inserted into a woman’s vagina to prevent pregnancies. The FDA approved its use in October of 2001 but the product, which is manufactured by Organon USA, wasn’t introduced into the market until July 2002. The flexible polyethylene ring contains estrogen and a form of progestin. The ring is used by over 1.5 million women around the world. NuvaRing is considered a third generation contraceptive and was initially said to have fewer side effects. How NuvaRing Works The NuvaRing works by releasing a steady dose of the hormones into the bloodstream where it is absorbed through the vaginal wall. Women… Read More

Eli Lilly has settled once again for improperly marketing the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa. I blogged on this subject earlier this year. See Eli Lilly Settles Claims Over Zyprexa. Then, later in the year, drug giant Merck settled cases over deceptive television advertisements. See $58 Million Merck Settlement To Change Deceptive TV Drug Advertisements. Are the drug companies an evil empire? Well, maybe so, but they are not beyond the reach of those that have our best interests in mind — i.e., Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Here’s the latest: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2008 Contact: Christine Gasparac: (916) 324-5500 Attorney General… Read More

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr., has brought Merck, the manufacturers of Vioxx, to its metaphorical knees.What brought about this “groundbreaking settlement”? “Merck’s aggressive television advertising convinced hundreds of thousands of consumers to seek Vioxx prescriptions before the drug’s risk were fully understood,” Attorney General Brown said. “Today’s groundbreaking settlement prevents Merck from releasing new television drug advertisements without obtaining federal approval.” Merck is now stopped from releasing new television drug advertisements without obtaining federal approval. The settlement places additional restrictions on Merck’s future conduct: The settlement places other restrictions on Merck’s future conduct including: Prohibiting the use of… Read More

Indiana’s Number 1 Local Media Site, reports the following: INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly and Co. has settled another 900 personal-injury claims against its antipscyhotic drug Zyprexa, including five set to go to court next month, thus avoiding what would have been the first trial in the U.S. The Indianapolis drug maker confirmed the settlement Wednesday but declined to reveal the amount. With the latest agreements, Lilly has settled more than 25,000 claims, leaving about 1,100 unsettled. Many of the plaintiffs have claimed Lilly underplayed the drug’s side effects, including weight gain and elevated blood sugar. Lilly has set aside $1.2 billion to… Read More

The Food and Drug Administration is requiring box warnings on two topical testosterone gels. Click here for basic information on the male hormone, testosterone. Here’s the FDA report: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it is requiring manufacturers of two prescription topical testosterone gel products, AndroGel 1% and Testim 1%, to include a boxed warning on the products’ labels. The agency is requiring this action after receiving reports of adverse effects in children who were inadvertently exposed to testosterone through contact with another person being treated with these products (secondary exposure). The gels are approved for use in men who either no… Read More