$42.5 Million Pharmaceutical Class Action Settlement
A class action lawsuit was successfully pursued against a pharmaceutical company for its failure to properly label its medication with a warning of an increased occurrence of heart attack and stroke. They were ordered to pay $42.5 million to the plaintiffs.
General Class Action Information
Omitting Warnings On Drugs
A pharmaceutical manufacturer can be liable for omitting a warning for a drug that increases the occurrence of heart attack or stroke. If a company is found to have deceptively promoted a drug in a way that was neither safe nor effective, it is a future legal matter. If a company fails to warn of potential risks associated with a drug, it can be held liable for any resulting harm.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers have a special obligation to ensure the safety of their products. We rely on the health care provider’s judgment to keep us healthy and safe. A class action lawsuit alleging failure to notify consumers about the possible side effects of taking the drug can be filed against pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Public Confidence In Health Care System
A pharmaceutical company’s misrepresentation about the safety of a medication can jeopardize public confidence in the healthcare system. The public deserves to be warned when a medication can adversely effect their health. As class action lawsuits alleging misinformation gain steam, media outlets and major news organizations promote joining the class.
Over the past 25 years, pharmaceutical manufacturers deceptively promoted opioid use in ways that were often neither safe nor effective, contributing to unprecedented increases in prescribing, opioid use disorder, and deaths by overdose. Such actions can undermine the public’s trust in the healthcare system and the regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medications.
The FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMPs) regulation for human pharmaceuticals is the main regulatory standard for ensuring pharmaceutical quality. Consumers expect that each batch of medication they receive is safe and effective, and the manufacturers have an obligation to ensure that their products meet these standards.
Medications That Increase Risk Of Heart Attack
Some medications have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack. Here are some examples of medications that have been associated with an increased risk of heart attack or other cardiovascular events:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, have been associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly at high doses or with long-term use.
- Combined alpha and beta-blockers, such as carvedilol and labetalol hydrochloride, which are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, have been associated with a possible drop in blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack.
- While angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril and enalapril, are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, they have been associated with rare cases of heart attack, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
It’s important to note that the benefits of these medications typically outweigh the risks for most patients. However, patients should always discuss potential risks and benefits of medications with their healthcare providers and report any adverse reactions to the FDA’s MedWatch program. Patients should also follow dosage and duration guidelines for medications and avoid self-medicating or taking higher doses than prescribed without consulting a healthcare provider.
Medications That Increase Risk Of Stroke
Here are some medications whose side effects include an increased risk of stroke:
- Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to treat breast cancer, has been associated with an increased risk of stroke based on observational studies.
- Anticoagulants such as Heparin and Coumadin (warfarin), used to treat specific forms of stroke such as atrial fibrillation, carry a risk of bleeding which can increase the risk of stroke.
Why Medication Could Increase Risk Of Heart Attack or Stroke
Here are five possible reasons why a medication could be associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke:
- Interference with blood clotting: Some medications can interfere with the blood’s ability to clot. This can increase the risk of bleeding or blood clots that can block blood vessels in the heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke.
- Elevated blood pressure: Certain medications can increase blood pressure, which can put extra strain on the heart.
- Negative effects on blood vessels: There are medications that can damage blood vessels or cause them to narrow. This is particularly true for medications that constrict blood vessels.
- Negative effects on cholesterol levels: Certain medications can increase the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol in the blood. These medicines may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, which is a disease of the arteries.
- Adverse drug interactions: Some medications can interact with other medications or substances, such as alcohol, which may increase the pressure on your heart.
False Claims Act
It’s important to note that the association between a medication and increased risk of heart attack or stroke may depend on several factors. The patient’s medical history, age, and other medications they may be taking are all components.
How Tim Misny Can Help
If you or a loved one was severely injured as a result of mislabeled medication in the form of an omission or error, call me today. For more than 40 years, I have helped hundreds of injured victims by taking on big pharmaceutical manufacturers. It doesn’t matter how much money they have, because I’ll find out what happened, and if a drug caused you harm, I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Profit over safety
Corporate America is greedy, plain and simple. They often put their own profits ahead of the safety of their customers. We’ve all heard about automobile recalls AFTER people were injured. Sadly, automakers sometimes know their vehicles may be defective, yet nothing is done to fix the problem because they don’t want to hurt sales and their bottom line. Some pharmaceutical companies have hidden or modified clinical trial data in order to bring the medication to market sooner… knowing all the while that the medication has devastating consequences for some patients. Not only is this a travesty, its a crime and they should be held accountable!
Call me, Tim Misny today to discuss your case. I’ll meet with you at your convenience, and please know, my clients do not pay a single penny out of pocket!
