Defective Drugs In Maryland

Recalls for faulty brakes or airbags get national media attention. However, when a doctor prescribes a defective drug, most patients never have any warning. In many cases, it may take years before the drug company or doctor acknowledges there was a problem with the medication. An individual can suffer serious injury or death after taking a defective drug. If you or a loved one was injured by a defective medication, you should contact an attorney to fight for compensation for your injuries.

There are a number of ways a defective drug can harm a patient. Many drugs have a problem with inconsistent potency. If a drug has more of the active ingredient than it should, this can cause an adverse reaction in the patient’s body. Similarly, if the drug is too low in the active ingredient, the patient may be under-medicated, even if they think they are taking the right amount of the drug.

Another problem with defective drugs is that pharmaceutical labs are not adhering to the strict safety guidelines to ensure a safe and effective product. An unsterile environment can produce drugs that are contaminated with bacteria. If a patient ingests or injects a contaminated drug, they may be introducing a harmful product into their body. This is especially harmful to children, older patients, and patients that have a weakened immune system due to their illness.

Defective Drug Recalls

There are a number of drugs that have been recalled, taken off the market, or reformulated after serious adverse events. Unfortunately, for most people harmed by the dangerous drugs, the recall comes too late. Information about a drug recall may come weeks, months, or years after a patient has been injured by a harmful drug.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are hundreds of prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements that are subject to a recall every year. The FDA maintains a website listing current recalls, and the basis for the recall. However, many dangerous drugs may be unknown to the FDA until after people are injured by the defective drugs.

There are a number of reasons for defective drug recalls. Problems include lack of sterility assurance, contamination, particulate matter, products containing undisclosed dangerous chemicals, microbial growth, and unapproved drugs. These defects can cause dangerous reactions in patients, leading to serious injury. If you are taking a drug that is the subject of a defective drug recall, talk to your health care provider. If you have been injured by a defective drug, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

The FDA categorizes recalls based on the seriousness of the perceived threat involved. A Class I recall involves a reasonable probability that the use or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. A Class II recall involves a situation where exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

In the past, defective drugs have been attributed to an increased risk of bladder cancer, heart disease, birth defects, uncontrolled bleeding, heart problems, liver disease, and other injuries.

Discovering Defective Drugs

Most patients trust their doctors and their pharmacist. They also trust the in-depth drug approval process that new drugs have to go through before they are approved for the market. However, even with rigorous testing, the long-term impacts of a new drug may be unknown. Similarly, even if a drug is safe as intended, the drug manufacturer may be taking shortcuts to boost profits, even if it results in producing a defective drug. Unfortunately, most patients have no way of knowing whether the drug they are taking is safe or not.

It may take years for individuals to become aware of a defective drug. In some cases, it will occur after a loved one died as a result of taking the dangerous drug. If you suspect a loved one may be the victim of defective medicine, you should seek the counsel of an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. If you have any questions about a drug defect you may be able to bring a claim for damages.

Defective Drug Injury Attorney

If you were injured by taking a defective drug, you may have a legal claim for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If a loved one died as the result of taking defective medications, you should talk to an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney to help you determine if you have a claim. They will fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Your personal injury attorney will help guide you through the claims process and advise you of your options. You should not have to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. Do not hesitate to call Gilman & Bedigian today for a free consultation.