Darvon drug litigation?
Federal medical advisers have recently recommended a ban on Darvon, a prescription medicine used to treat pain for over 50 years, but not without leaving a trail of problems, including addiction and suicide. An FDA advisory panel has recommended the withdrawl of Darvon from the market. While the FDA is not required to follow the recommendations of its advisers, it does so often.
Darvon first appeared in 1957, and is more familiar as Darvocet (which includes a dose of acetaminophen. More than 20 million prescriptions were written for Darvon in 2007. The investigation into Darvon began with consumer group inquiry and advocacy, petitioning the FDA.
The United Kingdom banned its version of Darvon in 2005, and it remains to be seen in the FDA decides to do the same. Other options include requiring stiffer warnings, safety studies or special education efforts aimed at doctors and patients.
The FDA’s safety office found more than 3,000 reports of serious problems with Darvon, the top three of which were suicide, drug dependence and overdoses.
The advisory panel was presented with statistics on Darvon, which stated that Darvon-related deaths rose to 503 in 2007, from 446 in 2006 (these statistics describe only about one-third of the US population). In both years, about 20 percent were suicides. The network covers only about one-third of the U.S. population. Data from Florida’s medical examiner reporting system showed that in 2007 Darvon was present in the bodies of 341 people who died of any cause. Medical examiners identified it as the cause of death in 85 cases.
It remains to be seen whether Los Angeles personal injury or dangerous drug attorneys will represent clients affected by Darvon. Class-action lawsuits in this type of situation are not uncommon, and Darvon’s widespread use and popularity seems to increase such likelihood.
If you or someone you love is in need of legal assistance, call a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at 1-310-640-1200, toll free at 1-888-640-6789. Our initial mass tort drug litigation consultation is absolutely free, and if our firm agrees to handle your case, our Los Angeles mass tort drug litigation attorneys will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. You pay nothing out of pocket until our firm retrieves the compensation you deserve. It is imperative you contact our firm today because a lawsuit must be filed before the legal expiration date known as the statute of limitations. Please call Los Angeles attorneys Sheridan & Rund immediately to ensure you are rightfully compensated the money you deserve.
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