Dangerous Drugs - Digitek, Vioxx, Ortho Evra, Fosamax, Zicam, Prempro

Pharmaceutical Cases
Latest News on Lawsuits Involving Injuries from Dangerous Drugs
Digitek Recall
	April 25, 2008—Actavis Towtowa announced a Digitek recall as a result of a manufacturing defect that resulted in production of the pills at twice the approved level of Digoxin. The FDA has designated the recall as Class 1, indicating the risk involves serious health problems or death.
Vioxx Lawsuit
	August 18, 2006—A New Orleans jury awarded our Vioxx client, Mr. Gerald Barnett, $51 million in damages. The jury found that Merck, the drug's manufacturer, "acted in wanton, malicious, willful or reckless disregard" for Mr. Barnett's rights. Mr. Barnett, a retired F.B.I. agent, underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery after a heart attack at the age of 58. He took Vioxx for 31 months before his heart attack in July 2002, and continued to take it for another two years. He discontinued it just one week before Merck pulled it from the market in September 2004, following release of a study that showed an increased risk of heart attack and strokes by Vioxx users. Lead trial counsel, Mark Robinson, is working with O'Steen & Harrison to assist a number of seriously injured Vioxx users.
Fosamax Lawsuit
	April 10, 2006—A Florida woman filed a lawsuit against Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, alleging the drug caused her to develop osteonecrosis. The condition caused her mouth to rot and exposed bone in her jaw. Various reports link Fosamax with the serious bone condition. In fact, the FDA believes Fosamax should be accompanied by a warning alerting physicians and patients to the risk of osteonecrosis. Because the agency lacks the power to force labeling changes, as of May 2006 Merck still had not updated the label for Fosamax.
Ortho Evra Lawsuit
	March 2, 2006—The FDA announced that it is launching a safety review of Ortho Evra birth control patches, following evidence that the patch is associated with increased side effects. The agency previously warned women in November 2005 that Ortho Evra was linked with higher incidences of blood clots. Our law firm represents women throughout the United States who suffered blood clots or stroke while using Ortho Evra.
Zicam Lawsuit
	January 19, 2006—Zicam is a popular non-prescription zinc nasal spray. Its manufacturer markets it as a medication to shorten the duration of the common cold. Zicam has been associated with the onset of a condition known as anosmia, which leaves the user with a potentially permanent loss of smell and taste. These side effects typically are irreversible. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently is collecting and evaluating reports of severe reactions to Zicam. Matrixx Initiatives has reached a settlement with 340 persons who lost their sense of smell after using Zicam. These cases resolved for $11.9 million plus $100,000 in costs.
Prempro
	October 11, 2007—A Nevada jury awarded $134.5 million to three women who developed breast cancer following use of Prempro and Premarin. The verdict was the largest against drugmaker Wyeth related to its hormone replacement therapy. A fourth woman settled before trial and passed away in April 2007 at the age of 59.