tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89196522011-08-01T18:35:09.241-07:00The Latest News about Defective Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. Sponsored by the law firm of Audet & Partners, LLP.K.T.noreply@blogger.comBlogger2621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-18222440460139387212010-03-16T11:55:00.000-07:002010-03-16T11:55:24.922-07:00

"Sophisticated thieves in Connecticut scaled the walls, cut a hole, rappelled down and took enough pallets of Prozac, Cymbalta and Zyprexa to fill a large trailer, officials say." [LA Times]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-14337484324223709702010-03-08T12:43:00.000-08:002010-03-08T12:43:48.590-08:00

Baxter: FDA Classifies Dialysis Machines Recall As Class I - WSJ.com: "Baxter International Inc. (BAX) said the Food and Drug Administration classified a recall of its dialysis machines as a Class I recall, its most severe safety warning.A Class I recall means there is potential for serious injury or death. Baxter said over the last two years, it has received serious injury reports and at least

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-22125746771603239022010-03-08T12:29:00.000-08:002010-03-08T12:29:33.335-08:00

Thomas Medical Products Issues Class I Recall - A defect in the company's Transseptal Sheath Introducer Kit may lead to serious complications - ModernMedicine: "On March 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Thomas Medical Products Inc. (TMP) announced a Class I recall of the Transseptal Sheath Introducer Kit (other trade names include HeartSpan, CHANNEL FX, Torflex, and Braided Guiding

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-29036601883753878932010-03-05T11:18:00.000-08:002010-03-05T11:18:37.344-08:00

Depakote - Depakote side effects: "Quincy, MA: The state medical examiner in Massachusetts has ruled that a four-year-old girl’s death at her family home was the result of a drug overdose. Rebecca Riley, who died on December 13, 2006, was prescribed clonidine—a high blood pressure medication that can be used as a sedative in children—for ADHD, and Depakote for bipolar disorder. Carolyn Riley, the

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-69109551408996530712010-02-19T18:09:00.001-08:002010-02-19T18:09:43.446-08:00

Teva Announces Settlement in Principle regarding Certain Drug Pricing Lawsuits - MarketWatch: "Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. /quotes/comstock/15*!teva/quotes/nls/teva (TEVA 58.90, 0.16, 0.27%) announced today that several of its subsidiaries in the United States reached a settlement in principle to resolve claims brought by Ven-A-Care of the Florida Keys, Inc. on behalf of the United

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-39606359668876446982010-02-19T18:09:00.000-08:002010-02-19T18:09:04.655-08:00

Merck Settles Some Vioxx Suits - WSJ.com: "Merck & Co. agreed to pay up to $12.15 million in legal fees and bolster its monitoring of drug safety to settle shareholder lawsuits stemming from the withdrawal of former pain drug Vioxx from the market.The pact, which is pending final court approval, would resolve state and federal shareholder 'derivative' complaints (which are brought by shareholders

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-63699218795864868412010-02-19T18:08:00.000-08:002010-02-19T18:08:05.824-08:00

Corporate Watch - WSJ.com: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it plans to implement new 'safety controls' for a class of long-acting asthma drugs, largely by adding tougher warnings about the proper use of the drugs to the product labels.The changes affect GlaxoSmithKline PLC's Advair and Serevent, Novartis AG's Foradil, which is marketed in the U.S. by Merck & Co. and AstraZeneca PLC's

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-47023613846801479312009-04-13T11:48:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:48:22.298-07:00

Genentech Withdraws Psoriasis Drug Linked to Brain Infections - Bloomberg.com: "Genentech Inc. began pulling its psoriasis treatment Raptiva from the U.S. market because of the drug’s link to a rare, fatal brain disorder that has troubled at least four other medicines." [Bloomberg.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-12444743591565208782009-04-13T11:46:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:46:58.708-07:00

Psoriasis Drug Raptiva Pulled From U.S. Market - Forbes.com: "The troubled psoriasis drug Raptiva is being withdrawn from the U.S. market, California-based drug maker Genentech ( DNA - news - people ) announced Wednesday.The move comes almost two months after U.S. health officials issued a public health advisory on the drug after confirming a link to a rare, sometimes fatal brain infection." [

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-86335503522935971112009-04-13T11:45:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:45:56.568-07:00

Raptiva is withdrawn from the U.S. market - UPI.com: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) is withdrawing the psoriasis drug Raptiva and it will no longer be available in the United States.The FDA said the company is taking the action because of a potential risk of patients developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy -- a rare, serious, progressive

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-66893403578360194042009-04-13T11:43:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:43:51.874-07:00

Genentech Starts Pulling Back Psoriasis Drug - NYTimes.com: "Genentech announced on Wednesday a phased voluntary withdrawal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva from the United States because of a link to a brain infection.Raptiva has been associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare and usually fatal disease of the central nervous system." [NYT]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-81406586463170640692009-03-13T16:25:00.000-07:002009-03-13T16:25:09.856-07:00

Supreme Court Backs Amputee In Drug Suit - CBS News: "The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a $6.7 million jury award to a musician who lost her arm because of a botched injection of an anti-nausea medication. The court brushed away a plea that it limit lawsuits against drug makers." [CBS News]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-4669599045045376202009-01-26T14:34:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:34:44.621-08:00

When Good Medicines Become Bad Drugs: "Pain can cause low self-esteem, depression and anger, and it can interfere with daily activities.�For the millions of Americans who live with pain that is moderate-to-severe in intensity, prescription opioid pain medicines may be an important treatment option. However, when these medicines get into the hands of those without a prescription, they can be as

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-30443798291510381452009-01-26T14:33:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:33:14.811-08:00

A dangerous monopoly - Las Vegas Sun: "It is estimated one of every two Americans takes a prescription drug every day. This means half the country’s population is dependent on Asian workers for their medications.This is because the manufacture of active ingredients for everything from allergy pills to antibiotics, once a thriving industry in the United States, has been almost totally outsourced

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-55364256731158205122009-01-26T14:08:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:08:08.291-08:00

Be wary of Internet prescription drug sites | NewsChief.com | News Chief | Winter Haven, FL: "It has been said that anything can be bought over the Internet. The Internet has truly changed the way people not only shop in the United States but how they work and live. The Internet has made it possible to compare prices without even leaving your home. Unfortunately, not everything sold on the

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-61932757429829994292009-01-26T14:03:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:03:27.613-08:00

VOA News - Study: Elderly at Risk for Dangerous Drug Interactions: "A recent study has highlighted the danger of combining prescription medicines with over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. The study was based on a survey of 3,000 middle aged and elderly patients in the U.S. Researchers found one in 25 people were at risk for dangerous complications." [VOA]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-41103707055381441332008-10-16T13:13:00.000-07:002008-10-16T13:13:33.300-07:00

Some Arteries Opened Safely Without Heparin - US News and World Report: "Artery-opening procedures can be safely done in some cases without using the anti-clotting drug heparin, reducing the risk of excess bleeding, Italian cardiologists report." [USN&WR]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-63487614187493066472008-05-16T12:17:00.000-07:002008-05-16T12:17:12.971-07:00

TheStar.com | GTA | Heart drug's higher death risk detailed in study: "A massive Canadian study that caused a popular heart surgery drug to be pulled from the shelves last November has shown it increased the risk of death by 50 per cent over two rival medications." [thestar.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-971575928801026172008-05-16T12:16:00.000-07:002008-05-16T12:16:23.294-07:00

Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "An expensive drug used to minimize severe bleeding during heart surgery actually significantly increased the risk that patients would die during surgery or in the 30 days following, a Canadian study comparing the drug to two far cheaper alternatives shows." [The Canadian Press]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-89793925988156932042008-05-16T12:15:00.000-07:002008-05-16T12:15:18.802-07:00

AFP: Drug aprotinin boosts risk of death: study: "Aprotinin, a drug often used to prevent blood loss during heart surgery, boosts the risk of death by 50 percent, a major clinical study done in Canada and published in the United States Wednesday found confirming preliminary data." [AFP]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-20134414375918255292008-04-29T10:20:00.000-07:002008-04-29T10:20:00.523-07:00

Trigger in Heparin Deaths Identified - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com: "An international group of investigators identified oversulphated chondroitin sulphate, a contaminant found in vials of heparin from China linked to a recent series of deaths, as a triggering agent." [megGadget]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-88772120850366368852008-04-29T10:18:00.000-07:002008-04-29T10:18:50.880-07:00

FDA thinks it has trigger in heparin deaths - CNN.com: "The Food and Drug Administration has 'now established a mechanism by which we think this contaminant could cause these adverse events,' said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research." [CNN]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-87694286960777752562008-03-12T14:18:00.001-07:002008-03-12T14:18:39.998-07:00

Avandia Woes Mean Cutbacks at GlaxoSmithKline: "Avandia problems continue to hurt GlaxoSmithKline’s bottom line, as the Avandia maker announced this week that it would be giving up more than a $1 million in incentives so that it could eliminate jobs at its Zebulon, NC manufacturing plant. Avandia sales have dropped more than $1 billion worldwide since the controversial diabetes drug was linked

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-28101189126809313982008-03-12T14:18:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:18:07.518-07:00

First Avandia Lawsuits Filed, Many More Expected: "Avandia lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline over the drug’s alleged cardiac side effects are beginning to make their way through the courts, and many more are expected. One a man is suing GlaxoSmithKline in federal court, claiming Avandia caused him to undergo heart bypass surgery. Attorneys allege the drug maker should have known that

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-29891893450117121912008-03-12T14:13:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:13:25.543-07:00

Actavis Recalls More Fentanyl Pain Patches: "More Fentanyl Pain Patches have been recalled by Actavis Inc due to a possible defect that could cause fentanyl to leak from the Actavis pain patches. Actavis had recalled 14 lots of the Fentanyl Pain Patches in mid-February. Actavis said the remaining lots of the fentanyl transdermal system patches are being recalled as a precautionary measure because

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-87880760803945189262008-03-12T14:11:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:11:26.151-07:00

Medical News: Still More Fentanyl Pain Patches Recalled - in Product Alert, Prescriptions from MedPage Today: "Actavis, a maker of fentanyl patches, has expanded a recall to include all of its fentanyl pain patches sold in the United States, the company announced.All of the recalled patches were manufactured by Corium International, a contractor for Actavis, and sold nationwide." [MedPageToday]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-10090550154341591092008-03-12T14:10:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:10:21.304-07:00

Fentanyl Patches With Reservoir Design Recalled: "Two drugmakers recently recalled their fentanyl transdermal patches due to concerns that the pain medicine contained in the patch could leak into the packaging, potentially causing serious adverse events such as fatal overdose and respiratory depression.The patches subject to the recall use a reservoir design — a rectangular transparent unit with

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-78157589863929496222008-03-12T14:07:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:07:58.987-07:00

Top Drugs' Strange Side Effects: "n recent months, popular new anti-smoking treatment Chantix has made headlines for its array of potential side effects, which include insomnia and nightmares. In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Pfizer (nyse: PFE), the manufacturer of Chantix, had updated the drug's prescribing information to include additional warnings about the

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-4234848715264082372008-03-12T14:06:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:06:12.957-07:00

Dividend Tempts, But Fog Cloaks Pfizer's Outlook: "Sales of its smoking-cessation drug Chantix grew 773% in 2007. But that carries a qualifier. On Feb. 1, the FDA issued an advisory on Chantix, claiming that it had been linked to severe mood changes." [CNN]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-3174020166097712202008-03-12T14:04:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:04:31.732-07:00

eCanadaNow.com - Heparin Manufacturers Face Scrutiny: "The factories that produce Heparin in the South China area are under intense focus as the United States struggles to ensure that the Heparin supply is safe. Workers clad in protective blue suits and surgical masks work to produce the drug, which is widely used world wide for blood thinning." [eCanadaNOW]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-23598922011506209912008-03-12T14:03:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:03:02.382-07:00

Japan: Heparin Recalled as Precaution - New York Times: "Three Japanese companies have recalled heparin products made with raw materials from China that were processed by Scientific Protein Laboratories, according to a statement by the Wisconsin-based lab. “The three Japanese companies made clear that the recall was simply a precaution, as there has not been a pattern of adverse reactions” to the

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-39430838327099363002008-03-12T14:02:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:02:13.425-07:00

3 Japanese firms recall heparin -- chicagotribune.com: "In a blow to a Wisconsin-based maker of the blood thinner heparin's active ingredient, three Japanese companies recalled the product as a 'precautionary step' because of worries about its link to Chinese manufacturing, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday." [Chicago Tribune]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-68965468894441856452008-03-12T14:01:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:01:29.960-07:00

German authorities recall local version of blood thinner heparin, believed to have China link - BostonHerald.com: "Germany’s medical authority said Friday it has recalled a locally produced version of the blood thinner heparin believed to be linked to contaminated ingredients from China after 80 patients suffered adverse reactions.Axel Thiele, a spokesman for the Federal Institute for Drugs and

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-44714995524909386662008-03-12T14:00:00.000-07:002008-03-12T14:00:32.613-07:00

Germany asks firms selling blood thinner heparin to examine stocks for contamination - International Herald Tribune: "Companies in Germany that sell heparin, a drug used to thin blood, have been ordered to test their stocks for any signs of contamination, a week after a company recalled several batches because 80 dialysis patients fell sick.Ulrich Hagemann, who oversees pharmaceutical safety for

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-45160578725806952642007-03-07T11:04:00.000-08:002007-03-07T11:04:05.185-08:00

Jury hands Merck a split decision on Vioxx cases - Examiner.com: "A state jury dealt Merck & Co. a mixed verdict Friday in the drugmaker's latest trial over its former painkiller Vioxx.The Atlantic City jury ruled Merck was negligent and did not properly warn doctors about the cardiovascular risks in the case of one former Vioxx user who survived a heart attack. The ruling sets the stage for a

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1168642840587029022007-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:002007-01-12T15:00:40.586-08:00

APP.COM - Whistleblower takes on J&J | Asbury Park Press Online: "A former vice president at two Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries claims in a lawsuit he was fired for seeking recalls of numerous faulty products, including the Ortho Evra birth control patch, itself the subject of at least 1,000 product liability suits." [Asbury Park Press]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1168642769455013492007-01-12T14:59:00.000-08:002007-01-12T14:59:29.466-08:00

Hormone therapy can increase blood-clot risk - The Clarion-Ledger: "Although most women can take hormones with minimal risk, some may experience heart attacks or strokes because of blood clots. The Ortho Evra birth control patch now comes with a warning that it releases more estrogen into the bloodstream than typical birth control pills. This may increase the risk for blood clots." [

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1166127986107094862006-12-14T12:26:00.000-08:002006-12-14T12:26:26.106-08:00

Ortho Evra News: "The mother of a woman who died while using a popular birth-control patch has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the maker of the patch, which she says caused her daughter's death." [Topix]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1166127910906710492006-12-14T12:25:00.000-08:002006-12-14T12:25:10.906-08:00

Women sue over birth-control patch - Women's Health - MSNBC.com: "More than 40 women sued the makers of a popular birth-control patch Wednesday, claiming the contraceptive caused serious illnesses and at least one death." [MSNBC]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1166127807180790522006-12-14T12:23:00.000-08:002006-12-14T12:23:27.180-08:00

Pill makers curry favor by touting convenience - Nashville, Tennessee - Monday, 11/27/06 - Tennessean.com: "The hormone estrogen in these contraceptives is the main culprit in the increased risk of clots. In September, the FDA added a new warning label to Ortho Evra, the popular birth control patch, saying that it delivers up to 60 percent more estrogen than most daily birth control pills." [

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1166127697430922252006-12-14T12:21:00.000-08:002006-12-14T12:21:37.430-08:00

TheStar.com - Birth control patch warning: "Health Canada is warning Canadian women that use of a birth control patch may increase their risk of developing blood clots in the legs and lungs." [Toronto Star]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1166127635862493952006-12-14T12:20:00.000-08:002006-12-14T12:20:35.996-08:00

Birth control patch warning about blood clots - Evra contraceptive patch - Health Canada: "Janssen-Ortho Inc., in consultation with Health Canada, wishes to highlight important new safety information pertaining to Evra. The Evra transdermal system marketed in Canada contains 6.0 mg norelgestromin (NGMN) and 0.60 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and is approved for use in contraception (prevention of

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1161207249561749442006-10-18T14:34:00.000-07:002006-10-18T14:34:09.573-07:00

Merck to Face 40,000 Vioxx Suits, Officials Say - Los Angeles Times: "Merck & Co. will face about 40,000 claims over its withdrawn Vioxx painkiller once deadlines for filing lawsuits lapse around the U.S., court records and lawyer estimates show. " [LATIMES.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1161207185840698992006-10-18T14:33:00.000-07:002006-10-18T14:33:05.840-07:00

More than 14,000 Vioxx cases strain Atlantic County court: "The court charged with handling about 14,000 Vioxx-related cases that have been filed in the last two years has asked for additional help to handle its workload.The Atlantic County Civil Division is handling the thousands of cases filed against Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck over the painkiller it pulled from the market in 2004,

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1161207122713732082006-10-18T14:32:00.000-07:002006-10-18T14:32:02.713-07:00

Judge Orders Merck to Reveal Trial Cost,: "A N.J. judge ordered Merck & Co. on Tuesday to release records on how much it spent on a trial involving its Vioxx painkiller.The information would provide a window into how much Merck spends on its trials, and what its legal defense costs could be in the future. More than 21,000 suits have been filed against Merck, which has vowed to try each case over

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1161207053565847292006-10-18T14:30:00.000-07:002006-10-18T14:30:53.853-07:00

How The Journals Are Cracking Down: "With concerns about conflicts of interest on the rise, many medical journals are cracking down. Some are demanding more detailed disclosures from authors about how they're compensated by companies, and many are more skeptically scrutinizing papers that academic and company scientists produce together. " [BusinessWeek]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1147995997755687472006-05-18T16:46:00.000-07:002006-05-18T16:46:37.830-07:00

Merck Caught Misrepresenting Vioxx Risks Again: "Although Merck has long maintained that the risks associated with Vioxx occur after long-term use, a recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, says the drug may raise the risk of heart attack for patients taking Vioxx for less than 2 weeks.The study published online this month, found that more than 25% of 239 patients who had heart

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1145489800647651482006-04-19T16:36:00.000-07:002006-04-19T16:36:40.706-07:00

Judge: Merck claimed privilege for ads, press releases -- Newsday.com: "Advertisements, press releases and studies already admitted into evidence were among hundreds of thousands of documents which Merck & Co. attorneys claimed they could not release, the judge overseeing all federal lawsuits involving the painkiller Vioxx said Wednesday.U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon said he went through

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144785570363000132006-04-11T12:59:00.000-07:002006-04-11T12:59:30.450-07:00

Merck's Most Recent Vioxx Trial Loss and Punitive Damages Award Is 'No Surprise' for This Plaintiff's Lawyer: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Some lawyers may have been surprised at the outcome of the most recent Vioxx trial. But it was no surprise for veteran San Francisco attorney William M. Audet, who currently represents over three hundred injured victims of Vioxx." [AHA]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144776101794010282006-04-11T10:21:00.000-07:002006-04-11T10:21:41.796-07:00

USATODAY.com - Jury smacks Merck with $9M in punitive damages in Vioxx trial: "A jury has awarded $9 million in punitive damages to a man who blamed his heart attack on Vioxx, finding that manufacturer Merck (MRK) failed to warn about the risks of its arthritis drug and misrepresented the risks to physicians." [USA Today]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144775958438639692006-04-11T10:19:00.000-07:002006-04-11T10:19:18.520-07:00

Latest Business News and Financial Information | Reuters.com: "A jury on Tuesday awarded $9 million in punitive damages to a New Jersey man who blamed Merck & Co. Inc.'s Vioxx for his heart attack, but the company vowed to continue fighting cases involving its withdrawn pain medicine." [Reuters]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144622816140279462006-04-09T15:46:00.000-07:002006-04-09T15:46:56.140-07:00

FOXNews.com - Death Risk Warning for Asthma Drugs - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News: "New labels on asthma drugs Advair and Serevent warn patients that the drugs 'may increase the risk of asthma-related death.'" [Fox News]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144622719040797162006-04-09T15:45:00.000-07:002006-04-09T15:45:19.040-07:00

Patient Information Sheet: Fluticasone propionate; Salmeterol xinafoate (marketed as Advair Diskus): "Because LABAs, such as Advair Diskus, may increase the chance of asthma death in some people: * Advair Diskus should not be the first medicine you use for asthma. * Advair Diskus should only be used if an inhaled corticosteroid along with once in a while use of a short-acting bronchodilator

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144622655180992832006-04-09T15:44:00.000-07:002006-04-09T15:44:15.183-07:00

Alert for Healthcare Professionals: Fluticasone propionate; Salmeterol xinafoate (marketed as Advair Diskus): "Long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists, such as salmeterol, an active ingredient in Advair Diskus, have been associated with an increased risk of severe asthma exacerbations and asthma-related death. FDA has requested that the package insert (labeling) for all long-acting beta 2-

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144622599897887392006-04-09T15:43:00.000-07:002006-04-09T15:43:19.896-07:00

Death Risk Warning for Asthma Drugs: "GlaxoSmithKline, which makes both Advair and Serevent, agreed to the new 'black box' warnings -- the strongest warning a drug label can carry. The agreement follows the FDA's November 2005 requestFDA's November 2005 request for an update of the drugs' existing black box labels." [WebMD]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144622512764268552006-04-09T15:41:00.000-07:002006-04-09T15:41:52.766-07:00

Serevent, Advair, and Foradil Linked to Risk of Severe Asthma Exacerbations: "Serevent, Advair, and Foradil Linked to Risk of Severe Asthma Exacerbations, Death" [Medscape]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144622407885766972006-04-09T15:40:00.000-07:002006-04-09T15:40:07.953-07:00

Advair & Serevent, Severe Asthma Reactions and Fatalities Lawsuit Information: Click Here.: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned healthcare professionals regarding the increased risk of severe asthma episodes and death associated with use of inhalation powders containing long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) such as salmeterol xinafoate and formoterol fumarate." [AHA]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144342427291418712006-04-06T09:53:00.000-07:002006-04-06T09:53:47.293-07:00

Jury again rules against Merck in a Vioxx case: "Delivering a sharp blow to Merck, a New Jersey jury has found that the company did not properly warn patients of the dangers of its drug Vioxx and thus was responsible for a heart attack suffered by John McDarby in 2004.The jury awarded McDarby, who had taken Vioxx for four years, $3 million in compensatory damages and Irma, his wife, an additional

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144342371365146862006-04-06T09:52:00.000-07:002006-04-06T09:52:51.366-07:00

Merck stock tumbles after loss in Vioxx case - Apr. 6, 2006: "Merck stock tumbled Thursday, a day after the nation's No. 2 drugmaker was found liable for the heart attack of a New Jersey man who took Vioxx and a jury awarded $4.5 million in damages.Merck stock sank about 4 percent in morning New York Stock Exchange trading.A jury in Atlantic City, N.J., late Wednesday awarded John McDarby and his

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144342304607499642006-04-06T09:51:00.000-07:002006-04-06T09:51:44.606-07:00

Attorney urges punitive damages against Merck: "An attorney for a 77-year-old New Jersey man who won a $4.5 million verdict against Merck & Co. over the withdrawn Vioxx painkiller urged the jury on Thursday to send a strong message to the drugmaker by awarding punitive damages." [Reuters]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144342233289772502006-04-06T09:50:00.000-07:002006-04-06T09:50:33.290-07:00

Merck Shares Fall After Losing Vioxx Trial: "Shares of Merck & Co. fell Thursday after a New Jersey jury found that the drugmaker concealed the dangers of its painkiller Vioxx in a split verdict that gave one of two plaintiffs in the trial $4.5 million in compensatory damages.Shares of Merck, which is facing many similar lawsuits, fell $1.47, or 4 percent, to $34.52 in early trading on the New

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144342186832461622006-04-06T09:49:00.000-07:002006-04-06T09:49:46.896-07:00

Merck faces punitive phase of Vioxx trial: "The punitive phase of a trial involving the Merck & Co. painkiller Vioxx was set to start on Thursday after a jury found the drugmaker failed to warn Vioxx users of heart risks and ordered it to pay a 77-year-old plaintiff at least $4.5 million in damages.Merck shares fell 4.3 percent to $34.45 in premarket trade on Thursday after the jury in Atlantic

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144280510738755452006-04-05T16:41:00.000-07:002006-04-05T16:41:50.740-07:00

Antibiotic found to alter blood sugar dramatically "Elderly patients taking the widely used antibiotic gatifloxacin were nearly 17 times as likely to be hospitalized for very high blood sugar levels and four times as likely to be hospitalized for unusually low levels, a finding that is leading some physicians to call for the drug's withdrawal from the market." [Indystar]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144280428002155222006-04-05T16:40:00.000-07:002006-04-05T16:40:28.003-07:00

AG sues drug company for fraud: "Eli Lilly and Company committed fraud on the people of West Virginia in selling the drug Zyprexa, Attorney General Darrell McGraw claims in a suit he filed Feb. 28 in Mason Circuit Court.McGraw seeks to stop Eli Lilly's deceptive practices, collect damages, and create a fund for those who will develop diabetes and other diseases from taking Zyprexa." [West

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144280349567602442006-04-05T16:39:00.000-07:002006-04-05T16:39:09.566-07:00

Merck Liable for Man's Heart Attack - Forbes.com: "A state jury found Merck & Co. liable on Wednesday for one of two former Vioxx users' heart attacks and ordered he receive $4.5 million in damages in a closely-watched trial involving two New Jersey men." [Forbes]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144280261843240762006-04-05T16:37:00.000-07:002006-04-05T16:37:41.843-07:00

Jury: Merck Liable for Man's Heart Attack: "A jury found Merck & Co. liable on Wednesday for one of two former Vioxx users' heart attacks in a split verdict that awarded $4.5 million in damages to one of the plaintiffs.The state jury found the company failed to adequately warn both men about the risk factors linking the now-withdrawn painkiller to heart attacks and strokes, but said the drug was

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1144280219356053072006-04-05T16:36:00.000-07:002006-04-05T16:36:59.440-07:00

Jury awards $4.5 mln in Vioxx verdict against Merck: "Jurors in Merck & Co.'s Vioxx trial awarded $4.5 million on Wednesday to a 77-year-old New Jersey man after finding the painkiller contributed to his heart attack, casting doubts on the strategy Merck will use in thousands of other suits over the drug." [Reuters]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143671257046879922006-03-29T14:27:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:27:37.046-08:00

News: Aprotinin: Deadly? - myDNA: "Doctors, consumer advocates and at least one medical research group are calling for the elimination of a drug commonly used during heart surgery because it was recently found to have serious, potentially deadly side effects." [MyDNA.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143671219217565512006-03-29T14:26:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:26:59.216-08:00

Bayer's Plischke sees likely slowdown in blood loss drug Trasylol sales growth: "Bayer AG can expect a slowdown in the growth in sales of its blood loss drug Trasylol, after an independent study showed that the drug was associated with health risks, board member Wolfgang Plischke said after the full-year results news conference." [Forbes]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143671155857668812006-03-29T14:25:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:25:55.856-08:00

Trasylol Patients and Clinical Trial Subjects Beware: "Thirteen years ago, the FDA approved Trasylol (aprotinin) for use in patients undergoing heart bypass surgery. In January 2006, doctors, consumer advocates and a medical research group called for the removal of the drug from the market after a study found it to have deadly side effects." [OpEdNews]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143671098949919932006-03-29T14:24:00.001-08:002006-03-29T14:24:58.950-08:00

ABC News: Study: Tequin Tied to Blood-Sugar Problems: "Serious blood-sugar complications among people taking the antibiotic Tequin are more common than had been believed, a new study in older people suggests.The research, released Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine, is further evidence the drug may pose special risks for diabetics. The study found hazards for others as well." [ABC

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143671059342494352006-03-29T14:24:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:24:19.343-08:00

Antibiotic Tequin risky to diabetes patients: "Tequin (gatifloxacin), one of a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat lung, sinus and urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases, may raise or reduce blood sugar to a dangerous level in diabetics, found a new study scheduled to appear in the March 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.Previous studies have

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143671024051748812006-03-29T14:23:00.001-08:002006-03-29T14:23:44.053-08:00

Antibiotic gatifloxacin (Tequin) poses health risks - MayoClinic.com: "What happened? A study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that the antibiotic gatifloxacin (Tequin) may increase the risk of both low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) during or after its use. These fluctuations in blood sugar may be severe enough to require

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143670992815540172006-03-29T14:23:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:23:12.816-08:00

Tequin linked to blood sugar problems: "Two Canadian studies indicate patients taking the antibiotic Tequin run a sharply higher risk of serious blood sugar problems.The studies examined medical histories of 1.4 million older Canadians, The Wall Street Journal said.One study said that patients receiving Tequin, already under heightened regulatory scrutiny, were nearly 17 times as likely to seek

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143670951336513052006-03-29T14:22:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:22:31.336-08:00

Tequin usage associated with 17 times more risk of high blood sugar: "'What we found was that people taking gatifloxacin had more than a fourfold increase in the risk of being treated in hospital for low blood sugar than people who were on other antibiotics,' said Dr David Juurlink, a clinical pharmacologist at Sunnybrook and a co-author of the paper that is to be published in the New England

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143670906329345842006-03-29T14:21:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:21:46.330-08:00

Health Canada Issues Tequin Antibiotic Warning for Diabetics: "The antibiotic Tequin can have life-threatening side-effects in people with diabetes, a study by Canadian researchers has found. The antibiotic gatifloxacin is sold under the brand name Tequin by its manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. Health Canada is urging doctors to stop prescribing the antibiotic for patients with diabetes as a

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1143670831655638452006-03-29T14:20:00.000-08:002006-03-29T14:20:31.716-08:00

Study reveals risk to Tequin patients -- Newsday.com: "Six years and 20 million patients later, a popular antibiotic has been found to cause life-threatening changes in blood glucose, according to a study." [Newsday]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139524792980890882006-02-09T14:39:00.001-08:002006-02-09T14:39:52.980-08:00

United Press International - Health Business - Bayer's Trasylol may cause kidney failure: "WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- A major independent study indicates Bayer's antifibrinolytic agent Trasylol doubles the risk of kidney failure and causes other serious adverse events, including stroke and heart attack.The finding is likely to significantly impact sales of the drug, which were expected to be

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139524767532873292006-02-09T14:39:00.000-08:002006-02-09T14:39:27.533-08:00

Bloomberg.com: Europe: "Jan. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Bayer AG's Trasylol, used in more than 60 countries to control bleeding after surgery, doubles a patient's likelihood of developing kidney failure and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, researchers said."

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139524723993923822006-02-09T14:38:00.001-08:002006-02-09T14:38:43.993-08:00

Reuters Business Channel | Reuters.com: "FRANKFURT, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Shares in German drugs and chemicals group Bayer (BAYG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) fell more than 3 percent on Thursday after a study showed that its Trasylol drug doubled the risk of kidney failure.Analysts said the result of the study, in the New England Journal of Medicine, increased the risk for investors from Bayer's

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139524695570623642006-02-09T14:38:00.000-08:002006-02-09T14:38:15.570-08:00

Bayer blood clot drug Trasylol associated with increased health risks - study - Forbes.com: "LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AFX) - Bayer AG's blood clot drug Trasylol (Aprotinin) has been associated with increased risk of kidney failure, of higher stroke risk and encephalopathy -- any degenerative disease of the brain -- in cardiac surgery, according to a study published in the New England Journal of

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139524663191778232006-02-09T14:37:00.000-08:002006-02-09T14:37:43.243-08:00

Bayer Slips On FDA Trasylol Warning | newratings.com: "Bayer (BAY.ETR) -1.4% at EUR33.39, hemorrhaging slightly on back of FDA's warning on its Trasylol blood drug, say traders. Within a few minutes, around 700,000 shares were traded, says one. 'But that's an old story,' another trader says pointing to a previous study of the drug from January. (MOD/HAD)"

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139353601125831742006-02-07T15:06:00.000-08:002006-02-07T15:06:41.126-08:00

Vioxx expected to drag on Merck 2005 and play key role in 2006 performance: "Vioxx is expected to drag down Merck & Co.'s 2005 earnings when they are reported Tuesday. But what's really frustrating analysts is their inability to assess the drug's potential liability and the toll that litigation preparations are taking on the company." [Canoe Money]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1139353471451489162006-02-07T15:04:00.000-08:002006-02-07T15:04:31.516-08:00

Zyprexa hurt Lilly revenue growth in '05 | IndyStar.com: "Struggling to replace eroding sales from its No. 1 drug Zyprexa, Eli Lilly and Co. managed to post revenue growth of just 6 percent last year, its smallest increase since 2002." [IndyStar.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131578285525515542005-11-09T15:18:00.000-08:002005-11-09T15:18:05.573-08:00

"Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, director of the San Francisco health department's STD prevention section, filed a citizen petition on August 5, 2004 with the Food and Drug Administration asking the agency to reclassify the medications, including Pfizer's Viagra, ISOC Inc.'s Cialis, and GlaxoSmithKline's Levitra, as Schedule III controlled substances. Under such classification, anyone in possession of the

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131392641814314382005-11-07T11:44:00.000-08:002005-11-07T11:44:01.863-08:00

"More than 13 months before a scientific journal reported that Viagra had been linked to a rare form of blindness in some men, a Food and Drug Administration safety officer made the same observation from monitoring adverse event reports and told her supervisors that doctors and patients should be warned of the findings." [Washington Post]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131312528524193772005-11-06T13:28:00.000-08:002005-11-06T13:28:48.523-08:00

"CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports that two reasons fueled Public Citizen's FDA request. First, studies show that people don't pay much attention to the type of warning that was added in July. They do pay attention to a Black Box warning, which is what Public Citizen is pushing for. "Second, Attkisson adds, there's new information. Pfizer had claimed men weren't more likely to go

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131312446677504142005-11-06T13:27:00.000-08:002005-11-06T13:31:02.710-08:00

"Federal health investigators are looking into reports that some men who used Viagra may have suffered a new and very serious side effect -- blindness.Twenty-three million men worldwide have used Viagra. A very small number of them are going blind after taking normal doses" [CBS News]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131312333035316562005-11-06T13:25:00.000-08:002005-11-06T13:25:33.036-08:00

"A small number of patients taking prescription drugs to treat impotence have developed non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a disease that causes a loss of vision that typically cannot be restored. NAION is one of the most common causes of abrupt vision loss in older individuals." [NewsInferno.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131312235627016512005-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:002005-11-06T13:23:55.626-08:00

"Impotence drugs such as Viagra use is linked to development of vision disorders. It is found that 19% of people with vision disorders have used Viagra medicines. It is found that it contains three phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors which is found to cause risk of blindness." [MedIndia.com]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1131312122861850672005-11-06T13:22:00.000-08:002005-11-06T13:22:02.906-08:00

"A prominent consumer advocacy group is calling for the government to add the most serious of warnings to the labels of Viagra and other impotence drugs, noting that some users have gone blind." [Herald News Daily]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1128118587581993212005-09-30T15:16:00.000-07:002005-09-30T15:16:27.580-07:00

"I took columnist Michael Kinsley’s advice (“Taking Vioxx — for Plenty,” Aug. 28) and “googled” Vioxx. The first result was Merck’s own Vioxx Web site (www.vioxx.com), which complains that the drug giant did nothing wrong, that it was subjected to an unfair trial, and promises to continue its scorched-earth legal policy of forcing victims to trial. "What I did not find were the facts. The truth

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1128118467780814182005-09-30T15:14:00.000-07:002005-09-30T15:14:27.780-07:00

"The Irish Medicines Board has so far received 85 adverse events reports for the painkilling drug Vioxx, according to the Department of Health. Health Minister Mary Harney, in a Dail reply this week, said that since Vioxx was authorised for use in November 1999, the board has received 85 adverse reaction reports relating to the drug, of which eight have been classified as cardiovascular in

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1128118416789478672005-09-30T15:13:00.000-07:002005-09-30T15:13:36.820-07:00

"Two heart specialists testified Thursday that a man suing the maker of Vioxx over his heart attack had a healthy heart before being stricken, and that the painkiller may have been the cause. "Humeston, a Boise, Idaho, postal worker, was a nonsmoker with no history of high blood pressure, heart disease, family history of heart trouble or diabetes when he had the heart attack in September 2001,

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1124743287124125822005-08-22T13:41:00.000-07:002005-08-22T13:41:27.123-07:00

"International investors turned wary on pharmaceutical stocks on Monday after a $253 million award against Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) over its withdrawn painkiller Vioxx. "Drug shares were the biggest fallers on European markets by mid-session as the verdict by a Texas jury set alarm bells ringing about product liability risk across the industry. [Reuters]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1124743170106742152005-08-22T13:39:00.000-07:002005-08-22T13:39:30.106-07:00

"A $365 million award against a drug company over the discredited painkiller Vioxx is encouraging for New Zealanders planning to sue the company, a lawyer says." [NZ Herald]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1124743080640901552005-08-22T13:38:00.000-07:002005-08-22T13:38:00.680-07:00

"Shares of Merck & Co. fell on Monday as investors assessed the liability the company must overcome after a $253 million jury award, the first of possibly thousands of lawsuits it faces over pain killer Vioxx. "Merck was off 54 cents, or 1.92 percent, at $27.52 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange." [Reuters]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1124483113640921662005-08-19T13:25:00.000-07:002005-08-19T13:25:13.640-07:00

"In a landmark decision for the drug industry, a Texas jury has found Merck & Co. liable in the sudden cardiac death of a man who had used the company's recalled drug Vioxx, awarding the man's widow $253.4 million in damages. "In a statement released after the verdict, Merck said that it was 'disappointed' by the verdict and planned to appeal." [MarketWatch]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1124482956766293572005-08-19T13:22:00.000-07:002005-08-19T13:22:36.766-07:00

"A jury on Friday found Merck & Co. (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) liable in the death of a Texas man, in the first civil trial against the company's popular painkiller Vioxx. "A timeline of the drug's history follows:" [Reuters]

K.T.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919652.post-1124482883795643852005-08-19T13:21:00.000-07:002005-08-19T13:21:23.796-07:00

"Shares of Merck & Co. fell Friday immediately after a Texas jury found the pharmaceutical giant liable in the first trial involving a death linked to its Vioxx painkiller. The man's widow was awarded $253.4 million in damages. "Although Whitehouse Station-based Merck plans an appeal, the uncertainty from thousands of other cases pending around the nation will be a drag on share price, said

K.T.noreply@blogger.com