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.

Infants Tylenol Warning Found Defective By Jury

A Philadelphia jury recently awarded $5 million to the family of a 1-year-old infant who died from acetaminophen toxicity after three days of use. The Family argued the warning labels and directions were inadequate and not clear. According to Law.com For children who fit the age-and-weight descripti

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 7 Aug 2006

Infants Tylenol Warning Found Defective By Jury

Blame It On The Drug: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Chances are if you are reading this blog either you or someone you know has been adversely affected by Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or its elevated equivalent Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). It is a often times deadly reaction, usually linked to the recent use of a sulfa containing medication, t

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 6 Aug 2006

Blame It On The Drug: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Health Risks Linked To Over-The-Counter Erectile Drugs

The Federal Drug Administration recently issued a health advisory warning against over the counter dietary supplements designed to treat erectile dysfunction. Some of the drugs specifically listed in that advisory are: Zimaxx, Libidus, Neophase, Vigor-25. Actra Rx, and 4Everson. The problem associat

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 5 Aug 2006

Health Risks Linked To Over-The-Counter Erectile Drugs

FDA Warns Against Use Of Bismacine

The FDA recently issued a warning against the use of Bismacine, also known as Chromacine, which is reportedly used to treat lime disease. The drug which is mixed by druggists and not considered a pharmaceutical, is usually proscribed and administered by doctors of alternative health or by others cla

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 5 Aug 2006

Second Lipitor Patent Found To Be Invalid

The federal Court of Appeals recently found the second of Pfizer’s patents on Lipitor to be invalid. This could cost Pfizer, the world’s biggest drug manufacture, billions of dollars in lost sales. The federal court ruling essentially shortens the mega manufacture’s exclusive right to sale Lipitor b

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 4 Aug 2006

Second Lipitor Patent Found To Be Invalid

Second Federal Vioxx Trial Begins

In New Orleans, Louisiana, Merck and Co. is defending its second federal trial involving the controversial pain killer Vioxx. The Plaintiff in this case is a retired FBI agent, Gerald Burns, who took Vioxx for approximately 32 months prior to his heart attack in August of 2002. The trial, which bega

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 3 Aug 2006

Paxil-The Litigation Begins

In December of 2005 the Food and Drug Administration, along with the makers of Paxil, Glaxo Smith Kline, issued an alert advising of the possible risk of birth defects in pregnant women who use Paxil. For many new mothers like Lisa Collins who used the anti-depressant, the warning came too late. She

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 3 Aug 2006

Defense Verdict In First California Vioxx Trial

A Los Angeles jury found in favor of Merck and Co. in California’s first Vioxx trial. The jury found that Vioxx did not cause 71 year-old Stewart Grossberg’s heart attack in 2001. The defense showed Grossberg had high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, and a family history of cardiac problems. Merck and

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 3 Aug 2006

Defense Verdict In First California Vioxx Trial

First California Vioxx Trial Goes To The Jury

Jury deliberations are set to begin today in the first Vioxx trial in California. This case involves a Stewart Grossberg, 71, who took Vioxx beginning in 1999 to manage joint pain in his knees and hands. Grossberg suffered a heart attack in 2001 and attributes that event to his use of Vioxx. In this

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 2 Aug 2006

First California Vioxx Trial Goes To The Jury

FDA-MERCK CONSPIRACY?

That is the question Senator Chuck Grassley hopes to find an answer to in his recently launched probe into the FDA’s handling of Vioxx debacle. Senator Grassley has asked the inspector general to investigate the FDA’s conduct and report on their findings with specific reference to an FDA senior scie

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 31 Jul 2006

Actonel Same Problems As Fosamax?

I was recently asked about Actonel, a bisphosphonate used to treat sufferers of osteoporosis, and if it was known to cause osteonecrosis like Fosamax, Zometa, and Aredia. The short answer is YES. All of these drugs are members of the family of drugs known as bisphosphonates. A link has been found be

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 15 Jun 2006

Vioxx: New Insight On The VIGOR Study

Did Merck & Co. act appropriately back in 1999 when it discovered the dangers of heart attack and stroke associated with its product Vioxx? A new article published in today’s NPR puts that question to the test by questioning three renown scientists who are authorities on heart disease and clinical s

By M. Brandon Smith

/ 8 Jun 2006