Each year hundreds of new drugs enter the $60 billion per year prescription-drug industry promising to improve our lives. But every year, 200,000 Americans die and numerous more are injured as a result of false and misleading claims by pharmaceutical companies. Despite the series of clinical trials and tests conducted on prescription drugs to protect the public, many drugs are causing serious injuries. According to the General Accounting Office, 51 percent of FDA-approved drugs have major adverse effects that aren't detected until after the general public uses them.

Prescription drugs are regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under current FDA regulations, new drugs are approved in half the time they were 15 years ago. This is because under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA can approve new drugs for marketing without long-term testing if it will benefit the public interest. 21 C.F.R. 310.303 (1997). Unfortunately, the current incidents of prescription drug injuries suggest that the public’s best interests are not being served. In the last 4 years, the following widely used drugs are among those that have been recalled and banned by the FDA. In many instances, these drugs were recalled within a year due to deaths or serious adverse effects by users

Fortunately, the law provides you with rights. Under 402A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts, prescription drug manufacturers can be held strictly liable for selling products in a defective and unreasonably dangerous condition, even though they may have exercised the utmost care in the preparation and sale of their product. A product may be defective or unreasonably dangerous in several ways. One way is if the manufacturer failed to warn consumers of potential injury risks associated with the product. A product might also be defective or unreasonably dangerous if it was improperly designed (i.e. inappropriate chemical composition or dosage). Lastly, the product may also be defective if an error occurred during the manufacturing process. A prescription drug contains a manufacturing defect when it departs from its intended design even though it was carefully prepared and marketed. Manufacturer liability may also extend to what your physician tells you about the prescription drug.

Clayeo C. Arnold, A Professional Law Corporation is committed to promoting the heightened quality and safety of medications marketed to the public by taking swift legal action to compensate injuries resulting from dangerous drugs like Vioxx. Claims for Injuries resulting from Vioxx and other prescription drugs require prompt action. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from taking Vioxx, call Clayeo C. Arnold, A Professional Law Corporation now at (916) 924-3100 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.