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.

Merck Failed To Warn-$51 Million Awarded

In the second federal Vioxx trial, a New Orleans jury awarded Gerald Barnett $51 million in compensatory and punitive damages after finding Vioxx contributed to his heart attack in July of 2002. The jury found Merck and Co., “knowingly misrepresented or failed to disclose information” about the drug

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 17 Aug 2006

Merck Failed To Warn-$51 Million Awarded

Closing Arguments In Second Fereral Vioxx Trial Heard

Closing arguments have been heard in the second federal Vioxx trial in Louisiana which focuses on a 62 year-old former FBI agent who blames the drug for his heart attack in July of 2002 after using Vioxx for 31 months prior. The jury is made up of 8 middle aged men who will be left to decide if Viox

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 17 Aug 2006

Closing Arguments In Second Fereral Vioxx Trial Heard

Zyprexa Linked To Diabetes Mellitus And Other Serious Disorders

Zyprexa (Olanzapine), a drug primarily prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia has been attributed to causing to diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, pancreatitis and blood sugar disorders in many of its consumers. The manufacturer of the drug, Eli Lilly & Co., previously promoted Zyprexa as a sa

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 16 Aug 2006

Zyprexa Linked To Diabetes Mellitus And Other Serious Disorders

Drug Manufactures And The Tricks They Employ To Earn A Profit

In a follow up to my recent posts invloving free lunches and biased reports concerning the measures drug manufactures go to push their products on doctors and the medical industry as a whole, a new report by the Annals of Internal Medicine shows some of the more subtle and less discussed measures th

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 15 Aug 2006

Drug Manufactures And The Tricks They Employ To Earn A Profit

Depakote (Valproate) Linked To Birth Defects And Fetal Death

In a recent study, one in five women who took the epilepsy drug Valproate during pregnancy resulted in birth defects or fetal death. The drug, sold by Abbott Laboratories, Inc., under the brand name Depakote, was found to be substantially riskier than any of the other three main epilepsy available o

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 14 Aug 2006

Depakote (Valproate) Linked To Birth Defects And Fetal Death

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Sufferer To Have Sight Restored

The Federal Government recently broadened the eligibility criteria for its overseas medical treatment program by allowing a woman who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) to seek treatment in Singapore for her sight related injuries. The deadly allergic reaction is commonly associated with cau

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 14 Aug 2006

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Sufferer To Have Sight Restored

Researchers And The Products They Review-Too Closely Connected?

Over the last year or so the connection between so called “independent” researchers and the pharmaceutical companies they review have drawn a lot of attention and criticism. The main reason for this is because of the fear of biased reports and reviews from well known researchers who receive benefits

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 13 Aug 2006

Researchers And The Products They Review-Too Closely Connected?

FDA Has Concerns Over Anti-Depressants

The Food and Drug Administration has requested that manufactures of leading anti-depressants add warnings to their labels to address recently discovered risks in newborns and migraine sufferers. The FDA’s concerns stem from a life threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, which has been linke

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 10 Aug 2006

Free Lunches Come With Hidden Costs

Ever wonder why some doctors prescribe one particular brand of drug over another similar drug in the class? The answer may very well be because of incentives the drug manufacturers are providing to doctors and their offices to encourage it. In a recent article in the New York Times, drug manufacture

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 10 Aug 2006

Second Federal Vioxx Trial: Opening Arguments

Both parties involved in the second federal Vioxx trial got their first chance to tell the jury what issues they will ultimately be asked to decide in the Louisiana case. The Case involves Gerald Barnett, a 62 year old former FBI agent, who blames Merck and Co. for his Vioxx related heart attack in

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 8 Aug 2006

Second Federal Vioxx Trial: Opening Arguments

Ketek Linked To Liver Failure

The FDA is now warning of new dangers associated with Ketek, the first antibiotic of the ketolide class. Primarily used in treatment for chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis and varying levels types of pneumonia, Ketek has been linked to rare cases of serious liver injury and liver failure.

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 7 Aug 2006

FDA Approval Preempts Inadequate Warning Claims

In an ongoing battle between the FDA and those who desire to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their inadequate warnings, two fairly recent cases have been decided declaring FDA approval a preemptive measure against inadequate warning claims. According to the decisions in Abramowitz v. C

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 7 Aug 2006

FDA Approval Preempts Inadequate Warning Claims