Prescription Drugs & Pharmaceutical Negligence
Due to advances in science and medicine, it is possible today to
live with, or even be cured of diseases and illnesses once
considered life threatening. Although the United States provides
some of the best health care in the world, an estimated 200,000
Americans die annually due to adverse reactions and harmful
side-effects of prescription drugs. Thousands more are injured.
Injury Attorney Joe Griffith vigorously works to
help victims who sought to improve their health, but instead were
injured by the prescription drugs they relied on for relief.
Manufacturers of drugs and supplements can be held responsible for
sale of defective products, devices, and drugs. This responsibility
is broad and includes the duty to exercise reasonable care in the
design and manufacture of a product. The obligation of the
manufacturer to make a safe product includes the duty to design,
manufacture, inspect, and label a product appropriately. Proving
that a manufacturer of a drug supplement is responsible for a
defective product can be complicated and expensive.
While most people assume that approval by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration means a drug is safe, recent examples prove this can
be a dangerous assumption. Too often, problems with particular
medications surface only after their use becomes widespread. By the
time doctors and regulators spot the trouble, it’s often too late
for patients taking these prescription drugs. In addition, each
year, thousands experience complications associated with
over-the-counter medications and supplements.
While the FDA must approve all prescription drugs, dollar-conscious
drug and medical manufacturers put unrelenting pressure on the FDA
to expedite their product’s approval. In turn, the FDA may put a
drug on "fast track" status to reduce approval process time. Often,
"fast track" drugs are not subject to a thorough analysis and may be
sold prematurely. Without a full understanding of a drug’s potential
side-effects and long-term effects and negative interactions,
patients continue to suffer serious injury or death. However, it is
important to remember that while a product may be FDA approved, the
manufacturer and/or prescribing health care provider is liable for
unsafe drugs, medications, and medical devices. The law generally
provides that:
- Drug manufacturers who fail to design, manufacture, inspect
and label pharmaceuticals appropriately may be held liable for
the injuries their drugs cause. A pharmaceutical manufacturer
may also be liable for a patient’s injuries when they have
failed to warn of a drug's potential side effects or dangers.
- Medical doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, pharmacies, osteopaths and health
care facilities (hospitals, nursing homes) can be found liable
for deviating from the acceptable standard of patient care.
- Malpractice may exist if there is proof that a healthcare
provider placed their personal interest or that of the
pharmaceutical industry above patient’s interests. It is not
only reprehensible; it is illegal for physicians to receive
monetary or material gain for prescribing a specific drug.
If you are injured by a defective drug or supplement, save the
product and all parts and instructions that come with it, including
the box it came in. This information may be vital to proving your
case. In the event you are injured by a prescription drug received
from your pharmacist, you should immediately go to the drug store or
pharmacy which filled the prescription and obtain a copy of your
prescription records.
Prescription Drug
Summaries
Then, call Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC to prepare a comprehensive, compelling case for your right to
receive compensation and benefits as a result of any injuries you or
your loved one may have suffered due to a prescription drug
injury. JGLF will fight to ensure that you are fully compensated for
any such injury. You can reach JGLF at 843-CALL-JOE (843-225-5563), or
contact JGLF via the online form.
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