Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

Recommended Ban For Two Popular Pain Killers

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:20:37 GMT

Due to their effects on the liver, a federal advisory panel recommended a ban on the painkillers Percocet and Vicodin. These drugs are two of the most popular prescription painkillers in the world. Vicodin and Percocet combine a narcotic with acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a painkiller and fever reducer, and is the the ingredient in products such as Tylenol and Excedrin, which are very popular. High doses of acetaminophen are a leading cause of liver damage. Other prescription drugs that combine different narcotics with acetaminophen will also be affected by the recommended ban if the FDA accepts the expert panel's advice. Usually the FDA follows the recommendations of its expert panels, though it is not required to do so.

Acetaminophen is an effective treatment for headaches and fevers, but some people suffer overdoses even at the recommended doses. Over 400 people die from overdoses in the US each year. To address the issue of overdosing, the advisory panel voted to reduce the maximum level of acetaminophen allowed in over-the-counter pills, and also to reduce the maximum daily dosage.

Acetaminophen is also found in children's over-the-counter medicines, which the panel voted to limit to a single formulation. The FDA will likely choose the less concentrated formula, to reduce the potential for harmful effects if a parent makes a dosing mistake. The panel voted against a ban on over-the-counter combination cough and cold products such as Nyquil, after determining that the combination products were not a large contributor to overall poisoning.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Chantix and Zyban Get Suicide Warnings

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:38:54 GMT

Mounting reports of suicide among users have led federal regulators to warn that users of Zyban and Chantix should be carefully monitored for signs of serious mental illness. Chantix, made by Pfizer, and Zyban, made by GlaxoSmithKline, are smoking-cessation drugs. In 2007, European officials alerted the FDA about problems with Chantix. Since then, the FDA has received reports of 188 attempted suicides and 98 completed suicides among Chantix users. There have also been 17 reported attempted suicides and 14 completed suicides among Zyban users. Glaxo and Pfizer are required to include the agency's most serious warning, a black box warning, on the prescribing information for Chantix and Zyban. Further, both Glaxo and Pfizer must conduct clinical trials to examine mental health risks linked to Chantix and Zyban. The manufacturers are also required to mention the risks of suicide in their advertising for the smoking-cessation drugs Zyban and Chantix.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Situation Regarding Exploding Pool Filters Similar to MTD Snow Throwers

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:43:52 GMT

A certain type of pool filter is linked to critical injuries and deaths. The filter is a kettle or canister style, which is two pieces held together by a fastener. During cleaning of the filter, if the cover is not fastened properly, built up air inside the filter can cause it to explode. This leads to the top portion of the filter blowing off and causing injury. The injuries caused by such exploding pool filters include brain injury, loss of an eye, and even death. Since 1982 the Consumer Products Safety Commission has received reports of 22 such incidents, including four deaths. Lawyers who have filed claims regarding exploding pool filters, say that the kettle or canister style filters have a design flaw that allows these incidents.

The death of her husband Jim, from one of these exploding pool filters, led Sue Halverson to start a website on pool safety to inform people about the dangers of kettle or canister style pool filters. Despite the problems with these filters, and the serious injuries caused by them, people are still not aware of the dangers, and so people continue to get hurt. This situation is similar to the MTD snow throwers that have exploding tires. In 2006, over 130,000 MTD snow throwers were recalled due to the danger of their tires exploding while being inflated. However, despite the many serious injuries and the recall, people continue to use the MTD snow throwers and get hurt when the snow thrower tires explode.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Homeopathic or "Natural" Remedies Carry Risks

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:21:56 GMT

Several recent recalls illustrate the dangers that can be posed by homeopathic or "natural" health remedies, which generally aren't required to go through the same kind of FDA-approval process as prescription drugs. Often, people mistakenly believe that products labeled homeopathic or "natural" are automatically safe.

In May 2009, Hydroxycut dietary products were recalled from the market after the products were linked to liver damage. Hydroxycut products are used for weight loss, as energy enhancers and fat burners. Iovate Health Sciences Inc. marketed Hydroxycut, and the products were widely distributed in grocery stores, health food stores and pharmacies. At the time of the recall, the FDA recommended that people immediately stop using Hydroxycut products.

In June 2009, consumers and doctors were notified by the FDA and Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals that Stamina Rx products were recalled. Stamina Rx was sold nationwide in health food stores and drug stores, and was marketed as a natural male enhancement product. The FDA determined that Stamina Rx contained an undeclared ingredient - the drug benzamidenafil, which is in the same class of drugs as some that are FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction. Benzamidenafil is not FDA-approved, and may interact dangerously with some other drugs and cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Consumers are urged to stop using Stamina Rx products immediately.

Another recent homeopathic remedy recall involved Zicam. Some Zicam nasal cold remedies were recalled by Matrixx Initiatives in June 2009, after the FDA warned that the products were unsafe. The FDA issued its warning about Zicam after hundres of reports that people lost their sense of smell after using Zicam. According to the FDA, Zicam products were also unlawfully marketed. Over the past several years, Matrixx, the maker of Zicam, has settled hundres of lawsuits regarding Zicam. Matrixx is also being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For over 25 years, Sheller P.C. has aggressively represented individuals and classes of individuals who have been injured by defective products, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. We also represent those who have suffered injuries due to other causes, such as inadequate medical treatment , improper business practices, or accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Possible Link Between Lantus and Cancer

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:42:29 GMT

It is anticipated that a new study will soon be published in a major medical journal, suggesting a link between Lantus and a certain type of cancer. It is thought that the anaylsis will be damaging to Lantus and its maker. Lantus is an insulin drug, made by Sanofi-Aventis, used to treat diabetes. Documents from as long ago as 2000 point to theoretic possibility of Lantus being a cancer-causing substance. Lantus was supposed to be Sanofi's second-biggest selling drug this year. Sanofi is concerned that any suggestion that Lantus is linked to cancer will negatively impact the public perception and use of Lantus.

If you have taken Lantus and developed cancer, contact Sheller, P.C. to discuss your potential legal rights. The Sheller firm has many years of experience successfully representing people who have been injured by defective drugs. People who have used Lantus and developed cancer may have a legal claim against Sanofi-Aventis for their injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Ninth Case of PML With Biogen's Tysabri

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:45:44 GMT

Recently, Biogen Idec Inc. reported a ninth case of the brain infection progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) connected to the drug Tysabri. PML is a potentially deadly infection. Tysabri is a multiple sclerosis drug by Biogen. In 2005, Tysabri was pulled from the market due to reports of PML, but in July 2006 it was reintroduced with restrictions. The recently announced PML case brings the number of cases to nine since the reintroduction in 2006. About 24,900 patients have received at least one year of Biogen's Tysabri treatment since 2006.

If you have taken Tysabri and developed PML, contact Sheller, P.C. to discuss whether you have a legal claim. The lawyers at Sheller have many years of experience successfully representing people who have been injured by defective drugs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Veterans Get Wrong Cancer Treatment At Philadelphia VA Hospital

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:44:44 GMT

Ninety-two veterans at a VA hospital in Philadelphia received incorrect cancer treatment. Over the course of six years, the veterans, who were being treated for prostate cancer, were given the wrong doses of radiation therapy. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, in ninety-two of one hundred and fourteen cases, there were medical treatment errors. The treatment, called brachytherapy, involves implanting radiation seeds to kill the cancer cells. According to an investigation, in fifty-seven veterans, too little radiation was delivered to the prostate, and thirty-five veterans received overdoses of radiation to other parts of the body. Some veterans with prostate cancer received both underdoses to the prostate and overdoses to other body parts. The number of dosing errors led to an inspection of the Philadelphia Veterans Medica Center by a federal commission. Meanwhile, the prostate cancer treatment program at the Philadelphia VA hospital has been suspended, and several staff members no longer work for the VA hospital. All of the veterans who received the wrong prostate cancer treatment, have been given follow-up care.

Anyone who received improper prostate cancer treatment at the Philadelphia Veterans Medical Center should contact Sheller, P.C. to discuss whether you have a potential legal claim. The lawyers at Sheller, P.C. have many years of experience successfully representing injured people, and helping them recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Our lawyers represent people injured by medical errors, defective drugs and dangerous products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Recall of Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Products

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:14:50 GMT

Recently, Nestle USA voluntarily recalled its Toll House packaged raw cookie dough products, due to concerns about E. coli. E. coli can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and kidney failure. It can be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control have found a "strong association" between the cookie dough and the E. coli sickness suffered by 65 people who have tested positive for the bacterium since March. The identified sick people live in 29 states, and while some of them have been hospitalized with their illness, none have died.

The FDA advised consumers to discard any Toll House cookie dough products that they have, and requested that restaurants, retailers and food service providers not sell any of the refrigerated cookie dough products. According to the FDA, consumers should not try to cook the Toll House cookie dough products, because even though the cooked cookies may be safe to eat, the E. coli could be spread by the consumer's hands. The recall affects about 300,000 cases of cookie dough, including refrigerated cookie bar dough, cookie dough tubes, and cookie dough tubs. However, Toll House ice cream containing raw cookie dough is not affected by the recall. Nestle USA has said that it is temporarily halting production of the cookie dough products, while its Ohio factory is investigated by the FDA.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Synthes Executives Indicted For Improper Marketing

Jamie Sheller — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:55:29 GMT

The United States Attorney in Philadelphia has indicted Synthes Inc. and four of its executives on federal charges. Synthes is a medical device maker, and according to the indictment, they improperly marketed it's bone filler, Norial XR for unapproved uses. The company is charged with conducting an unauthorized clinical trial, using the bone filler in two types of back surgery, called vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Three people died in the surgeries, though there is no proof that the deaths were caused by the bone filler. In vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, a cementlike material is injected into a spinal fracture to repair it. However, the bone filler can escape and create a blood clot in the patient's system. In 2002, the FDA issued a warning of these risks after receiving reports of injuries and deaths. Though the FDA approved the bone filler for general bone repair, Synthes was not to promote it for spinal procedures.

According to prosecutors, Synthes allowed its salesforce to promote the bone filler for unapproved uses and misled FDA inspectors. The four indicted Synthes executives are charged with shipping unapproved medical devices. Those criminal misdemeanor charges carry a potential one year prison term. Usually the federal government files civil lawsuits for this activity, and it is rare for criminal charges to be filed against company executives.

If you have received a Synthes bone filler product, contact the lawyers at Sheller, P.C., 215-790-7300, to discuss whether you have a potential claim. Sheller attorneys work aggressively to represent people injured by defective medical devices. We have successfully obtained compensation for injured people from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Zicam Linked to Loss of Smell

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:13:04 GMT

Consumers have been advised to stop using certain Zicam cold remedies. Matrixx Initiatives is the maker of Zicam. According to the FDA, certain Zicam products have been linked to anosmia, the loss of sense of smell, which can possibly be permanent. The three products at issue are Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swab, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product). Over 130 reports of anosmia linked to Zicam, have been received by the FDA. Many of these people reported losing their sense of smell after the first dose. However, others reported that their loss of smell occurred after multiple uses. Loss of sense of smell is serious and can have an adverse impact on a person's quality of life. It can also be dangerous if a person can't smell gas or smoke. Given the seriousness of anosmia, the FDA is advising people not to use these Zicam products for any reason. The FDA issued a warning letter to Matrixx, saying that agency approval is required to market the Zicam products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller