Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs save lives, but unsafe medications can cause devastating harm. We report on FDA warnings, recalls, and lawsuits tied to dangerous drugs. Our coverage explores how regulations, litigation, and patient advocacy drive accountability and improve medication safety.

FDA Labeling Change And Child Suicide Increase-Is There A Link?

The mandate of a black box warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concerning many antidepressant medications over the last few years has sparked a debate among many scholars as to whether the mandate has caused an increase in teenage suicide. The warning, which informed doctors of a potent

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 8 Mar 2007

FDA Labeling Change And Child Suicide Increase-Is There A Link?

Big Pharma Wins Again-FDA Drops Plan To Warn Consumers Of Potentially Dangerous Drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last Friday that it no longer intends to publish a public list of potentially dangerous prescription drugs that was going to warn the consuming public of potential safety concerns and risks. The idea was discussed and proposed by the FDA after the with

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 6 Mar 2007

Big Pharma Wins Again-FDA Drops Plan To Warn Consumers Of Potentially Dangerous Drugs

Arcoxia, A Vioxx Substitute, Is Being Considered By The FDA For Approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel has set out to review Arcoxia, Merck & Co. Inc.’s replacement pain reliever drug for Vioxx which was recalled back in 2004. In a meeting set for April 12, 2007, the panel expects to discuss the safety and effectiveness of Arcoxia which is being heavily pus

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 4 Mar 2007

Arcoxia, A Vioxx Substitute, Is Being Considered By The FDA For Approval

Plaintiff Verdict On Liability In New Jersey Vioxx Trial

In the latest New Jersey Vioxx trial, the jurors rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Frederick “Mike” Humeston, who took Vioxx prior to his death. In this bifurcated preceding designed only to address Merck’s potential liability, the New Jersey state court jury found that Merck & Company f

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 4 Mar 2007

Plaintiff Verdict On Liability In New Jersey Vioxx Trial

Jury Selection Begins In Latest Vioxx Trial

Jury selection for the latest Vioxx trial is under way for a man whose wife is said to have died as a result of taking Vioxx. Frank Schwaller says his wife, then 52 and now deceased, took the painkiller manufactured by Merck & Company for an extended period to combat her pains and ailments. The atto

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 28 Feb 2007

Jury Selection Begins In Latest Vioxx Trial

$3 Million Verdict In Prempro Lawsuit-Wyeth Held Liable

Prempro lawsuit leads to a $3 million verdict against its manufacturer Wyeth after causing an Ohio woman’s breast cancer. The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas jury found that Wyeth “failed to provide an adequate warning” to the plaintiff given the known side effects of it use. This was the fifth t

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 20 Feb 2007

$3 Million Verdict In Prempro Lawsuit-Wyeth Held Liable

Trasylol Lawsuit Filed-Many More Expected Due To Kideny Problems

On January 25, 2007 a products liability lawsuit was filed on behalf of Mrs. Ada M. Williams against Bayer Corporation and Bayer AG after receiving their drug Trasylol during her open-heart surgery. According to the Trasylol lawsuit, Ms. Williams subsequently went into kidney failure and now has to

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 20 Feb 2007

Trasylol Lawsuit Filed-Many More Expected Due To Kideny Problems

Stonger Warnings Demanded For Trasylol (Open Heart Surgery Medication)

The Food and Drug Administration has said that the manufacturer of Trasylol (aprotinin) needs to use a stronger warning associated with the drug to address the overwhelming number of risks associated with kidney damage. Bayer is being asked by the FDA to promote the use of Trasylol, a drug which is

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 6 Jan 2007

Stonger Warnings Demanded For Trasylol (Open Heart Surgery Medication)

More Warnings Against Pregnant Women Taking Paxil

In a recent opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women are being told to not take the antidepressant Paxil because of the increased risk of birth defects in a fetus. This group’s view comports with the same findings the FDA noted earlier this year when two o

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 2 Dec 2006

More Warnings Against Pregnant Women Taking Paxil

Trasylol Is A Dangerous Drug

Trasylol (aprotinin), manufactured by Bayer, is a medication used to treat excessive bleeding and inflammation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). Due to nature of CABG procedures, most people do not realize they received the drug until after the surgery is over, i

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 22 Oct 2006

Jaw Death Linked To Fosamax

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, also known as Phossy Jaw or Dead Jaw, is a very serious condition caused by the blockbuster osteoporosis drug Fosamax. Manufactured by Merck & Co., Fosamax is a nitrogenous bisphonate that has been linked to jaw death in many unwary consumers. As of 2004 the FDA asked Merck

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 17 Oct 2006

Blood Clot Risks Linked To Birth Control Patch

Ortho Evra, a widely prescribed birth-control patch manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, recently changed its warning label to reflect an increased risk of blood clots in women’s legs and lungs as opposed to those who use the pill. According to ABCNEWS.com:The investigation by The Associated Press fou

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 16 Oct 2006

Blood Clot Risks Linked To Birth Control Patch