Recent News

Record Number of Injuries Caused by U.S. Drugs

In the first three months of 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received a record number of reports of serious reactions and wrongful deaths linked to drugs administered in the U.S. Nearly 21,000 adverse drug reactions — including more than 4,800 deaths — were reported to the FDA in January, February and March, a 38 percent increase over the previous four calendar quarters.

Report from a Non-profit Watchdog

The analysis was publicized Oct. 22 by the non-profit Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), a watchdog group that serves as a clearinghouse for information about medication errors and drug safety. The FDA itself gave no immediate response to the ISMP report. Additionally, it should be noted that reporting to the FDA is entirely voluntary, and that many incidents of adverse drug reactions may never be reported to the FDA or even to healthcare providers.

Serious Drug Reactions

"Serious drug reactions" are defined by the FDA as reactions that:

• cause hospitalization of the consumer
• require other medical intervention, or
• place the consumer's life in jeopardy

In the recent analysis, deaths accounted for 23 percent of the cases. The 4,824 deaths in the three-month period is an increase of almost three percent from the last quarter of 2007.

Heparin and Chantix

Two defective drugs accounted for a disproportionately large number of the fatal and non-fatal drug reactions:

• Heparin — more accurately, the contaminated anti-blood-clotting agent imported from China (779 reports)
• Chantix — a Pfizer drug prescribed to help individuals quit smoking (1,001 cases)

According to the ISMP, the numbers of serious drug reactions reported to the FDA increased significantly from 1998 to 2005. (Source: MSNBC)

Have you or someone you love suffered serious injuries or death due to a defective drug or product? If so, contact us today to schedule a private consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. The personal injury attorneys at Damon Richards Law Firm are committed to protecting the rights of the injured and are standing by to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.