Oklahoma City Personal Injury Lawyer - FDA & Prescription Drugs

Paxil CEO Testifies in First Paxil Birth Defect Case

Jeremy Thurman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:31:45 GMT

Another tragic story about a company that is more concerned about profits than the safety of its customers:

Officials of GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the U.K.'s largest drugmaker, said in 2001 that a birth defect in the fetus of a woman taking its Paxil antidepressant likely was linked to the drug, according to court testimony.

After analyzing a 2001 e-mail from a Paxil user who aborted her fetus because it had a heart defect, Glaxo officials noted in company files they were "almost certain" the drug was related to the problem, Jane Nieman, a former Glaxo drug-safety executive, told a Pennsylvania jury.

"I don't know who made that assessment, but its there," Nieman testified in a videotaped deposition played yesterday for jurors. Nieman's testimony came in the trial of another Paxil user's lawsuit over birth defects suffered by her now 3-year-old son.

The first woman was taking Paxil as an antidepressant before she conceived her child, and was concerned that the drug would affect the development of the fetus. She emailed Glaxo in 2001 with her concerns, stating:

“If there is a chance that this might hurt or affect the baby I want to know up front and I will somehow stop taking it for the time being,” the woman said in the e-mail. “I love everything this drug has done for me. Please contact me as soon as possible. Please don’t forget about me.”

When she discovered that her fetus did have an irregular heartbeat, she decided to abort it. There are over 600 Paxil cases similar to this one, including the case of 3-year old Lyam Kilker, whose mother used Paxil while she was pregnant with him, and who was born with an irregular heartbeat that could potentially kill him.

Allegedly, Glaxo did know that Paxil could cause health defects, but hid this information from its customers to increase profits. In fact, Glaxo has records of the first woman's email, with officials noting in the files that Paxil almost certainly did cause her fetus' health problems. In spite of this knowledge, Glaxo launched a campaign to increase the prescription of Paxil to pregnant women, and as a result, Glaxo earned around $942 million in profits of of Paxil in one year alone.

Thankfully, people are now learning about the dangers of Paxil, and are victims of this deception are coming forward for compensation and justice.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Wall Street Journal - Bush Rule Changes Could Block Product-Safety Suits

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:27:38 GMT

I don’t get it, why do so called conservatives dislike consumer protections so much? This isn’t conservatism, it’s a neocon movement of big business and big pharmaceuticals to rewrite consumers ability to hold them to account for lying, cheating and harming the public.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that “Bush administration officials, in their last weeks in office, are pushing to rewrite a wide array of federal rules with changes or additions that could block product-safety lawsuits by consumers and states.

The administration has written language aimed at pre-empting product-liability litigation into 50 rules governing everything from motorcycle brakes to pain medicine. The latest changes cap a multiyear effort that could be one of the administration's lasting legacies, depending in part on how the underlying principle of pre-emption fares in a case the Supreme Court will hear next month.”

Of particular interests is that just this year, the article reports that 10 new regulations, including one issued Oct. 8 at the Department of Transportation that limits the number of seatbelts car makers can be forced to install and prohibits suits by injured passengers who didn't get to wear one.

Now if your thinking a new President, from either party can undo this harm, the article reports that it can’t be done easily.

What is most funny is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform which spending on these issues drafts that of Trial Lawyers is supporting this as part of its campaign to "neutralize plaintiff trial lawyers' excessive influence over the legal and political systems," according to its Web site.

Talk about influence, check this: The chamber itself, which represents millions of businesses of all sizes, is the biggest spender on the lobbying. In 2006, it spent $72.7 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit research group that tracks money in politics. On the trial lawyers’ side, the American Association for Justice spent $8.3 million that year.

The article states that Bush wants this to be one of his lasting legacies. Now I’m not one who has ever piled on the President even when I should have. That said, with the war on terrorism, war in Iraq, economic troubles et al, this is what Bush wants to be one of his lasting legacies? That legacy would be denying injured people compensation by virtue of laws aimed at defending the uber-rich corporations.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Spiriva Linked to Increased Heart Attacks and Strokes

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:52:58 GMT

Last week, a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found a 34% increased risk of dying from a heart attack or irregular heartbeat in COPD patients using ipratropium, which is in the same class as Spiriva, compared with those using albuterol, another COPD drug, or using nothing. The study focused on veterans diagnosed before Spiriva was approved in 2004.

In case you are unaware, COPD refers to two incurable lung ailments, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Most COPD patients have both. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. Spiriva (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) taken as directed is being said to help manage COPD. Boehringer Ingelheim, a German company that markets Spiriva with Pfizer, says worldwide sales rose 35% in 2007. Boehringer also makes Combivent, and Pfizer makes Atrovent.

However in the article, Lung drugs might be taking toll on the heart, researchers say overall, 1.8% of patients given tiotropium or ipratropium died of cardiovascular disease or had a non-fatal heart attack or stroke, compared with 1.2% of patients on other drugs, a statistically significant difference.

Spiriva is said to not be a treatment for COPD but a maintenance medicine to help you control COPD and breathe better. Researchers pooled the results of 17 clinical trials of 14,783 patients that compared the drugs tiotropium or ipratropium with other COPD treatments. The studies followed patients for six weeks to five years.For every 40 people who got one of the drugs in a year, there was one extra death, says co-author Curt Furberg, a Wake Forest University epidemiologist. "It's a big drug, so it's affecting a large number of people."

In March, the Food and Drug Administration notified health care professionals that a pooled analysis comparing Spiriva with a placebo revealed a possible increased risk of stroke in patients on the drug. The analysis by Boehringer found that 8 per 1,000 Spiriva patients a year had a stroke, vs. 6 per 1,000 on a placebo.

At the time, the FDA said it had not confirmed the finding.

The Health and Science Institiute states that research is being done to try and help patients with COPD because currently any type of medicine on the market today can't cure COPD. Treatments currently being researched without the aid of medicine are:

· Literally poking holes in patients' lungs

· Shooting special "glue" into their lungs, and

· Putting one-way valves inside bronchial tubes to let stale air out

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Preemption - Drug Companies Believe We Need More Drugs

Jeremy Thurman — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:08:00 GMT

I just read an amicus briefed filed by the former and current editors of the New England Journal of Medicine in a case before our Supreme Court wherein Wyeth is seeking to have all pharmaceuticals suits “Preempted” by Federal Laws. In a nutshell, Preemption generally refers to the displacing effect that federal law will have on a conflicting or inconsistent state law. Pharmaceuticals proffer that the fact the FDA approved a drug means that negligence and other claims (ie Failure to Warn) cannot be made in states claims.

One of Wyeth’s arguments is that Tort suits have led Americans to underutilize prescription drugs. This is the doctors resposne on that issue. Thought I might share it. It shows our dependence on prescriptions.

What I found most interesting is the following: "The prescription drug industry earns global revenues of more than $700 billion per year, an increase of $178 billion over the last five years. Petitioner/Amici’s argument that tort suits have led Americans to underutilize prescription drugs or companies to limit product development is baseless. As of 2004, Americans were responsible for $248 billion in pharmaceutical sales, accounting for nearly 45 percent of all revenue worldwide.64 Despite representations of a so-called explosion of stifling litigation, the pharmaceutical market has grown, not shrunk. And it has done so dramatically: In 2007 alone, there were approximately 445 million more prescriptions written than in 2003."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Digitek Tablets - Are You Suffering From Them?

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:27:07 GMT

In April of this year the FDA issued a class I recall on all Digitek (digoxin) tablets, which regulators believed may contain twice the approved level of digoxin. Due to these double-strength pills, patients taking them may have been exposed or suffered from digitalis toxicity, which can result in nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, bradycardia and even death.

Digitek tablets are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals and sold under the labels "Bertek" or "UDL". If you or a love one have suffered any of the above listed symptoms, it is important to contact an attorney immediately to preserve any rights you may have. We are currently investigating these claims and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Oklahoma Paxil Case

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:55:46 GMT

News9.com is reporting that the first court case involving the controversial anti-depressant Paxil and birth defects has been filed in Oklahoma.

The mother ofa Bartlesville toddler allegedly affected by the medication is suing the maker of the drug.

Jennifer Hayes says her two-year-old son, Kade, is not well enough to even play outside with his brothers. She said her full-time job is now to care for her young son.

This is a good read on the devastating effects of Paxil on pregnant women.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

JAMA Editorial Blows Whistle on Drug Companies Ghost Writers for Scientific Studies

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:10:20 GMT

I just ran across a Yahoo.com article describing a new editorial from JAMA which blows the whistle on drug companies using ghost writers for supposedly unbiased medical research.

According to Yahoo.com, "JAMA's editorial discusses two new reports involving the painkiller Vioxx and how drug companies influence the interpretation and publication of medical research.

The reports claim Merck & Co. frequently paid academic scientists to take credit for research articles prepared by company-hired medical writers, a practice called ghostwriting. They also contend Merck tried to minimize deaths in two studies that showed that the now withdrawn Vioxx didn't work at treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Merck called the reports in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association false and misleading. Five writers of the articles were paid consultants for people who sued Merck over Vioxx's heart and stroke risks; the sixth testified about Merck and Vioxx's heart risks before a Senate panel. Merck says those connections makes the reports themselves biased.

While Merck is singled out, the practices are not uncommon, according to JAMA's editors. In an editorial, they urge strict reforms, including a ghostwriting crackdown and requiring all authors to spell out their specific roles."

For attorneys who have been fighting goliath drug companies for many years, this comes as no suprise. The drug culture is rampant with fraudulent scientific data manipulated in order to sell drugs to an unsuspecting public.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

More Deaths Related to Contaminated Baxter Heparin

Jeremy Thurman — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:13:04 GMT

USA Today is tripling the death count associated with Baxter's Heparin supposedly contaminated in China. According to the report, sixty-two deaths now are associated with contaminated batches of the blood thinner heparin, triple the previous estimate, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

Heparin is a blood thinner, and the vital drug is used in surgery, dialysis, and to prevent blood clots in the bedridden. Other drugs thin blood, but they do not work as quickly as Heparin, and their effects are not as easily reversed. Baxter International manufactures about half of the multi-dose Heparin vials used in the US.

The Baxter Heparin reactions involved a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, decreased blood pressure, burning sensation, chest pain, diarrhea, dizziness, drug ineffectiveness, dyspepsia, dyspnea, erythema, flushing, headache, hyperhidrosis, hypoesthesia, hypotension, loss of consciousness, malaise, nausea, pallor, palpitations, paresthesia, pharyngeal edema, restlessness, vomiting/retching, stomach discomfort, tachycardia, thirst, trismus, and unresponsiveness to stimuli. Our Baxter Heparin injury lawyers have determined that the drug involved in these reactions was defective, and that Baxter's failure to adequately regulate its suppliers contributed to the Heparin's defects.

If you are unaware, Baxter International Inc. has found signs of a possible contaminant in the recalled blood thinner heparin that caused hundreds of serious side effects in the United States and have pointed the finger at ingredient suppliers in China. If you or a loved one has experienced any of the above symptoms or death, seek medical attention and afterwards the advice of a good attorney experienced in Drug litigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

A Lawyers Utopia - My Rant Against Tort Reform

Jeremy Thurman — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:21:08 GMT

I was discussing tort reform with a friend today and I heard my favorite term, Jackpot Justice. Of course I convinced my friend of the error of his ways and the utter fallacy of the tort reform movement. However, I got to thinking, what is Jackpot Justice. I better add a disclaimer, after reading this, this is truly a late night rant against the rhetoric of politicians.

Now understand one thing, I have a sarcastic sense of humor. So my first thought was where is this Jackpot Justice in Oklahoma. I mean, someone please tell me where this "shakedown" is occurring of poor innocent broke insurance companies. I have decided that I really need to find this lawyers utopia where every frivolous case nets a million dollar verdict and insurance attorneys never churn a file to reach their billing goals. Where is this fairytale land where computers systems by insurance companies don't tell my clients that they can't be injured seriously because their car only has a $1000.00 in damage.

If someone could please guide me to this utopia, I would greatly appreciate it. I would immediately go and knock on doors and file case after case in search of that Jackpot.

Oh and while I am at it. Can someone please tell me where in Oklahoma I can go file my auto accident cases that I will get paid. Please tell me. Because in my years of practice I have yet to see this utopia. I have yet to see an insurance company pay on meritorious claims without a fight, much less frivolous ones.

I beginning to believe this utopia is more like a Fairytopia. See Fairytopia is where Barbie and the twelve dancing princes play and live in their enchanted world. Now I know your asking, where the heck did that come. Well here's my secret, I'm the father of three girls and have seen it over 10 times and have participated in the dancing. I've been the prince. (FYI, if you're a dad, listen to the new Steven Curtis Chapman song: Cinderella, it will hit you hard about your baby girls).

Oh wait, you mean me, the ugly trial lawyer has a family? You mean I actually spend time with my precious children? You mean I actually serve in a leadership position in my church? These things couldn't be could they? Surely those are just a spin on my life, see I'm just an ugly trial lawyer taking advantage of billion dollar insurance companies. Those poor souls, bless their hearts, they only want to pay the injured. They would never intentionally devalue a claim.

Now that I've said the above, the rant can truly start. Shame on politicians who sell me their so called morals. Who come to my house proclaiming morality. Shame on these politicians who would do what Isaiah 10 states" Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised."

Yes, I went their I quoted scripture. I'm tired of being lied by politicians on tort reform. I'm tired of telling me they believe the injustice of it but promised the doctors whom make up 1% of their district but donated 99% of their campaign funds that they would vote for it. I'm tired of sending politicians up to the capitol to make foolish laws to benefit whatever special interest they choose.

Therefore, I propose a moratorium on the writing of laws. These so called politicians should only be allowed to go up and vote on the state's budget. Then, every five years they can have a session to introduce new laws. Ok, maybe that's a little overboard, but do we really need laws when the ones we have had around over 200 years have done pretty well. Go figure, maybe we can stop these politicians from having lobbyists write the bills while we are at it.

So if your reading this understand. I have morals. I want to tell you the truth. I don't care if your liberal, conservative or independent, you should be against tort reform because it does just what Abraham Lincoln warned against when he stated: "I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong
its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war. God grant that my suspicions may prove groundless."

Wasn't honest Abe a republican? Geez, how far honesty has fallen. How have we delved so far from respecting humanity over corporate entities.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Avandia Receives Black Box Warning

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:14:32 GMT

The diabetes drugs Avandia and Actos will be labeled with severe warnings about a risk of heart failure to some patients, health officials said Tuesday.

The makers of the drugs, GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., have agreed to add the "black-box" warnings, the Food and Drug Administration said. The warnings, the most severe that prescription drugs can bear, stress the medicines may cause or worsen heart failure and that patients should be closely monitored.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman