The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approving or denying new drugs and determining whether they pose potential threats or hazards to the public. The regulations and fines at their disposal to enforce safe practices among pharmaceutical companies are inadequate, however, and hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake to say nothing of the lives of unsuspecting citizens. Along with weak enforcement policies, some suggest the FDA may “sit on” evidence that reveals health hazards caused by certain drugs, muzzles staffers and publicly downplays the health risks of drugs, despite having evidence of the threats. In fact, reports of such conduct surfaced in both the Vioxx and Paxil cases.

Alone against the power of big pharmaceutical firms and the federal government, American patients and consumers don’t stand much of a chance. That’s why we’re here. The personal injury law firm of Breit Drescher Imprevento & Walker, led by firm partner and product liability specialist Mike Imprevento, has helped clients throughout Tidewater and the Hampton Roads communities in cases where large corporations released unsafe and harmful products to the public, endangering public safety and the rights of the American consumer. Pharmaceutical companies that market dangerous drugs to the public are no different than auto makers that create defective gas tanks, or manufacturers of faulty medical devices. The interests of business must always remain a distant second to public safety, and as product liability attorneys we believe strongly in that distinction.

In addition to accepting cases involving serious adverse reactions to Vioxx, Breit Drescher Imprevento & Walker also represents patients and consumers in cases of emotional and physical side effects including those linked to Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Zyprexa, Baycol, PPA, Welbutrin, Crestor, Bextra, Meridia, Depro-Provera, Accutane and Severant, Reglan, Yaz and Yasmin.

If you or a loved one is suffering from adverse physical or emotional side-effects from prescription drugs, contact us today for a review of your case. Our experience guarantees you a complete and timely answer about your potential case, and the steps you can take to get just compensation to restore your health and well being.

Drug-makers are constantly on Capital Hill looking for assurances that they will not be held liable for damages if their vaccines go wrong. They would rather have the Federal Government cover any damages.

Sanofi Pasteur, a French company that received a HHS contract to develop a new flu vaccine, claims that the reason more drug companies aren’t getting involved in vaccine production is because of the fear of lawsuits. The lobbyists for the pharmaceutical companies are looking for the same immunity that was offered to them (and then wisely removed) over the vaccine Thimerosol.

The American Trial Lawyers Association is instead pushing for the reformation of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a Federal Commission that individually examined each injury claim.

The New Sleep Aids

Pharmaceutical companies have saturated the market with pills for any conceivable ailment and huge advertising campaigns to increase their sales. Recent advertising involves sleep aids, the sales of which are being boosted with an unprecedented amount of advertising dollars.

The current market leader in sales is Ambien, one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. Drugs of a similar type (Lunesta, Sonata and Rozerem) are also being marketed without restraint. Sepracor, which spent $227 million dollars in marketing last year and entices new customers of Lunesta with contests and giveaways.

It would be an acceptable practice if they were engaging in such marketing over aspirin or any other non-prescription drug. But sleep aids are medications that alter the very body chemistry of the user, and have been known to cause problems such as sleepwalking, short term memory loss, or even eating while asleep.

Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy was involved in a car accident in Washington, D.C. Police found that no alcohol in his system, but there were levels of Ambien. And there are reports that Rep. Kennedy is not alone. With over 27 million prescriptions sold, Ambien is finding its way onto the top ten lists of drugs found in the system of impaired drivers in several states. While you can’t say that all the drivers in these situations are completely blameless, pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to be conscientious about how they market their products.

To talk to an attorney at Breit Drescher Imprevento & Walker, call us at 757-622-6000 or email us for a free consultation. An experienced attorney will contact you within 24 hours to assess your case.