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Archive for the ‘ Drug Injury ’ Category

Feb

Kentucky Attorney General Files Lawsuit against the Maker of Avandia

Feb. 21, 2013

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway has filed suit against drug manufacturing giant GlaxoSmithKline. According to an article from Channel 14 News, the suit stems from practices the company used to market its drug Avandia.

Reports indicate that the company marketed the drug, which is used to reduce the chances of adverse cardiac events in patients suffering from diabetes, as being more effective than it actually is. Furthermore, the suit claims representatives for the company did not disclose certain risks of Drug Injuries that Avandia can cause patients.

GlaxoSmithKline is said to have claimed the drug was effective in reducing the chances of cardiac events in users, while studies showed that the drug may actually increase the risk of a patient suffering certain drug injuries, including heart attacks and strokes.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Franklin County Circuit Court earlier this week, is seeking damages equivalent to roughly $10,000 per violation the company committed. GlaxoSmithKline has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

The Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyers with the law firm of Woods and Woods Injury Lawyers would like to applaud the efforts being made to better protect the citizens of Kentucky from medications that can cause negative side effects. They encourage anyone who has been harmed by a medication prescribed to them by a doctor to discuss their case with an attorney.

Jan

Kentucky Lawsuit against Perdue Pharma to Be Heard in State Court

Jan. 17, 2013

The Commonwealth of Kentucky will soon have its day in court against the drug manufacturer Perdue Pharma regarding allegations that the company misled doctors, hospitals, and medical staff about the addictive nature the medication Oxycontin.

Oxycontin is a powerful narcotic prescribed to treat severe pain.

The Courier-Journal reports that last week the US Court of Appeals for the 2^nd Circuit ruled that the case be returned to Pike County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit was filed in Oct.2007 based on allegations that the company illegally marketed the drug to medical professionals in the state. It was filed just five months after company executives pled guilty in Virginia Federal Court to deceiving officials, doctors, and patients about the potency and risk of addiction associated with Oxycontin.

The most recent lawsuit alleges that the company failed to disclose this information resulted in millions of dollars in healthcare costs associated with the drug injuries that resulted from patients taking the medication.

Experts say drug injuries, like the ones that result from taking Oxycontin, have led to more than 1,000 overdose deaths per year.

The Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyers with Woods and Woods Injury Lawyers know the dangers associated with taking certain medications, and they may be able to help you if you’re suffering from an Owensboro Drug Injury after taking a medication that was prescribed to you by a doctor.

Jan

FDA Orders Drug Manufacturers to Reduce Active Ingredient in Sleep Aids

Jan. 10, 2013

This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered manufacturers of sleep medications, like Ambien, to lower the amount of active ingredient in the drugs. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the requirement was made in response to studies finding patients who take the medications at a higher risk of accident and Drug Injury caused by drowsiness after taking the drugs.

Officials have ordered that drug manufacturers producing sleep medications cut the dosages of their drugs for women in half, because their bodies process the drugs more slowly than men. This means dosages will be lowered from 10 milligrams per pill to five milligrams per pill, and from 12.5 milligrams to 6.5 milligrams for extended-release versions of the drugs. The FDA is recommending similar cuts in dosages for men, but are not requiring the change.

Director for the FDA’s Office of Drug Evaluation, Dr. Ellis Unger, stated the changes were made after the FDA had received numerous reports of car accidents being associated with taking sleep medications.

Those who are currently prescribed these medications have been instructed to continue taking their prescribed dosages until they can discuss how to proceed with their doctors.

The Owensboro Personal Injury Lawyers at Woods and Woods Injury Lawyers recognize the dangers certain medications can pose to patients and encourage anyone who has been caused harm by a medication discuss their legal rights with an attorney.

Sep

Study Finds Doctor Burnout Can Lead To Medical Mistakes

September 13, 2012

With more doctors than ever before reporting workplace stress, a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found the condition of these doctors’ mental health may directly affect a patient’s care.

According to an article released by LEX 18 News, the study found that 48.2 percent of doctors stated they suffered from at least one symptom of burnout, such as:

- Emotional exhaustion.

- Low sense of accomplishment.

- Lack of satisfaction with their balance between work and life.

Experts say having these feelings can increase the chances of a medical mistake resulting in an Owensboro drug injury or medical malpractice claim. The researchers also discovered that these feelings can also increase the risk of developing a drinking problem, while also creating suicide rates amongst physicians.

The doctor who authored the study, Dr. Tait Shanafelt, stated that physicians who are “on the front line” of patient care, such as ER staff, surgeons, and family and internal medicine doctors, are at the highest risk of burning out on their work, while dermatologists and pediatricians were found to be at the lowest risk.

The Owensboro Personal Injury Lawyers with Woods and Woods Injury Lawyers say doctors have a responsibility to make a patient’s health and well-being their number one priority. If you’ve been the victim of a drug injury or medical malpractice, speak with an experienced lawyer about your legal options.

Jul

Anti-Smoking Drug Chantix Gets Further Scrutiny for Heart Risks

July 5, 2011

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may add new warnings to Phizer’s anti-smoking prescription drug Chantix now that a study has determined that the drug increases the risk of hospitalizations for heart problems by 72 percent.

The study was conducted by researchers in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins University who looked at 8,216 people who were taking Chantix and determined that 1 in 400 of these people had a new heart attack or similar disorder.

“I stopped prescribing Chantix several months ago, as soon as we found out about this data,” said Sonal Singh, the lead author of the study who practices medicine at Johns Hopkins. “I’m not saying that nobody should use it, but I think people should have this information. They should decide whether the risk is acceptable to them.”

The FDA Office of Drug Evaluation Director Curtis Rosenbraugh told the Associated Press that the FDA is now analyzing the study to determine whether or not it should add new warnings to the medication.

In 2009 the FDA warned consumers that Chantix might cause an increase in suicides and erratic behavior, and just last month a warning was added for patients taking Chantix who have a history of heart disease.

In an emailed statement a Phizer rep argues that “the health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and substantial,” adding that they believe the study misinterpreted data.

Read more.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chantix drug injury in Indiana, the Chantix drug injury lawyers at Woods and Woods can help.

Jul

Legal drug could cause Indiana drug injuries

July 22, 2010

What if your children could experience the high of marijuana without the marijuana? According to the Princeton Daily Clarion, that’s what some users of a new drug called K-2 could experience, along with Indiana drug injuries.

The drug is found in incense sold in some convenience stores, and while it does produce similar effects to marijuana, it does not contain THC. Therefore, K-2 is currently legal, but it can still cause Indiana drug injuries, including delusions, panic attacks, vomiting, heart palpitations, agitation, and dilated pupils.

Though it is not illegal to purchase, use, or possess K-2, a user was charged with an Indiana DUI for driving while under the influence of K-2.

Toddler dies after Kentucky drug injury

June 4, 2009

A toddler died as a result of a Kentucky drug injury, according to the Evansville Courier & Press.

The Kentucky drug injury occurred when a toddler drank an ingredient used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Six people were arrested as a result of the Kentucky drug injury, including the child’s 14-year-old mother, 19-year-old father, and four others.

The Kentucky drug injury victim, 20 months old, was pronounced dead at the hospital before midnight Saturday.

The Kentucky drug injury lawyers at Woods and Woods can help if you suffered a drug injury.

Nov

Herbal pills for sexual enhancement could lead to Kentucky drug injuries

November 13, 2007

The Gleaner reported that several pills marketed as safe herbal alternatives to other popular sexual enhancement drugs were found to lead to serious drug injuries like stroke or death, especially when couple with common heart and blood-pressure drugs in men.

While these medications tout exotic ingredients, they also contain unregulated versions of the expensive pharmaceutical pills they are meant to replace, and could cause severe Kentucky drug injuries.

Nov

Merck & Co. to pay $4.85B in drug injury lawsuits

11-9-07

Merck & Co. announced Friday that it will end thousands of drug injury lawsuits over its painkiller Vioxx by paying out $4.85 billion, in what is said to be the biggest drug injury settlement in history, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Vioxx was pulled off of shelves by the manufacturer Sept. 30, 2004 because researchers found the painkiller doubled users’ risk of heart attacks and strokes. The manufacturer is emphasizing that this is not a class action settlement and they are not admitting fault in the drug injury lawsuits, however this is a major concession by the pharmaceutical giant.

47,000 drug injury victims and 265 potential class action cases were facing Merck before this deal was struck. For drug injury victims to qualify for a settlement, their claims must have been filed by Thursday and they must meet several criteria.

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