Drug Recalls Rise in Recent Years

Drug recalls rose 309 percent in 2009. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the number of drugs recalled from the market in 2008 was 426. Those recalled in 2009 numbered 1,742. Drug recalls occur when the FDA is informed of many adverse reactions or side effects after a drug is prescribed or when an over-the-counter drug is used by consumers. These recalls are listed in categories, from I to III, with a Category I being likely to cause a serious health issue or death, a Category II likely to cause a temporary, reversible health condition, and a Category III which is unlikely to cause a negative effect.

Recent drug recalls have included the diet drug known as fen-phen, the cholesterol drug called Baycol, and the arthritis painkiller, Vioxx, which was linked to more than 27,000 deaths from heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Once a drug has been on the market, concerns over its safety may arise through reports of adverse reactions or through continued clinical studies which show negative side effects. When this happens, the FDA has two choices. It can either recall the drug or issue black box warnings, which alert physicians and the public to the risks involved in its usage.

Ventura County Personal Injury Attorney

With more and more prescription and over-the-counter drugs released every year, the chances of suffering a health injury due to ingesting a dangerous drug continues to rise. If you or someone you know has suffered health damage due to taking a prescribed medication, you may have grounds for a dangerous product injury claim or lawsuit. Getting experienced legal counsel is vital in such a matter. At the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, you can talk to a Ventura County personal injury lawyer in a free, initial consultation about your experience with a dangerous medication. Learn what your legal options may be and how to initiate legal action with an injury claim seeking financial compensation for your losses and damages, such as medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

The firm serves clients through Ventura County, including Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Thousand Oaks.

Contact a Ventura County dangerous product injury attorney at the firm today.