The Recall Lawyers

For more see http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20080225_ap_juryfindsinfavoroflittlerockwomaninhormonelawsuit.html

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones (larry@jonesward.com) 1-888-KYLAW22

A Nevada judge cut the Prempro verdict against Wyeth from $134 million to $58 million. http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/02/nevada-judge-sl.html

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones (larry@jonesward.com) 1-888-KYLAW22

There was a very interesting report on 60 Minutes last night about the devastating effects of Trasylol. It can be read here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/14/60minutes/main3831900.shtml Here is the intro:

This is the story of a drug that was on the market for 14 years and may have contributed to the deaths of thousands of patients. Trasylol, made by Bayer, is given in the operating room to control bleeding. It was a big money maker.

As correspondent Scott Pelley reports, Bayer marketed Trasylol aggressively until it was used in about one third of all cardiac bypass operations in America.

But then, in 2006, a study showed widespread death associated with Trasylol, and as it turns out there was concern long before that.

How much did Bayer know? And why did it take Bayer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nearly two years to take the drug off the market after major studies revealed the danger? Two years - during which it's estimated Trasylol was contributing to the loss of one thousand lives a month.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

From the FDA:

PRICARA™ RECALLS 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC® (fentanyl transdermal system) CII PAIN PATCHES

Contact: Greg Panico PriCara™ Office: (908) 927-3715 Mobile: (908) 240-2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Raritan, NJ - February 12, 2008 - PriCara, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said today that all lots of 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) DURAGESIC® (fentanyl transdermal system) CII patches sold by PriCara in the United States and all 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz Inc. in the United States are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution from wholesalers and pharmacies. The recalled patches all have expiration dates on or before December 2009, and all are manufactured by ALZA Corporation, an affiliate of PriCara. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches manufactured by ALZA and sold in Canada also are being recalled.

DURAGESIC 25 mcg/hr (fentanyl transdermal system) and Sandoz Inc. 25 mcg/hr fentanyl transdermal system patches being recalled may have a cut along one side of the drug reservoir within the patch. The result is possible release of fentanyl gel from the gel reservoir into the pouch in which the patch is packaged, exposing patients or caregivers directly to fentanyl gel. As per the approved product labeling for DURAGESIC, fentanyl is a potent Schedule II opioid medication. Fentanyl patches that are cut or damaged in any way should not be used. Exposure to fentanyl gel may lead to serious adverse events, including respiratory depression and possible overdose, which may be fatal. Anyone who comes in contact with fentanyl gel should thoroughly rinse exposed skin with large amounts of water only; do not use soap. Immediately dispose of affected patches with cut edges by flushing them down the toilet, using caution not to handle them directly. Patches with a cut edge that have leaked gel will not provide effective pain relief.

Anyone who has 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC or Sandoz Inc. fentanyl patches should check the box or foil pouch for the expiration date to see if they have patches that are being recalled. The recalled patches all have expiration dates on or before December 2009. The cut edge in affected patches can be seen upon opening the sealed foil pouch that holds the patch. Affected patches should not be handled directly.

Anyone with 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC patches being recalled should call 800-547-6446.

Anyone with 25 mcg/hr Sandoz Inc. patches being recalled should call 800-901-7236.

Patients using fentanyl patches who have medical questions should contact their health-care providers.

For more information, visit www.DURAGESIC. com.

DURAGESIC is used to manage persistent moderate to severe chronic pain that needs to be treated around the clock and which cannot be treated by: combination narcotic, short-acting, or non-narcotic pain treatment products. It should only be used by people who are receiving or have developed a tolerance to pain therapy with opioids. DURAGESIC should not be used if patients have pain that will go away in a few days, such as pain from surgery, medical or dental procedures, or short-lasting conditions. Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of fentanyl patches should be reported to the appropriate company using the telephone numbers above. DURAGESIC brand and other fentanyl patches are available by prescription only, through pharmacies, and should be used only under the supervision of a physician.

DUROGESIC™ patches sold in Europe, Latin America and Asia are not affected by this recall.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

Johnson & Johnson recalled all 25-microgram-per-hour patches that expire on or before December, 2009 sold in the U.S. on February 12, 2008. The Johnson & Johnson recall includes Duragesic and Sandoz brands, both of which are manufactured by Alza Corporation --a J&J subsidiary. The recall occurred as a result of the potential for a cut along one side of the drug reservoir where prescription drug fentanyl is stored in gel form, causing a leak of the gel. Fentanyl prescription drug patients and caregivers who come in contact with a leaking patch may have difficulty breathing, or potentially be victims of a fatal overdose.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

Here is another article about the judge's refusal to grant a new trial in the Nevada Prempro hormone replacement therapy case. There are several thousand of these cases nationwide. http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/NEWS01/802070349/1321/NEWS

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

Here is a good article from the Philadelphia Inquirer. According to the article, Avandia sales dipped by 55% in the 4th quarter of 2007, which has caused GSK a bit of heartburn. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20080208_Glaxos_quarterly_earnings_drop_10_.html

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

GSK is forecasting lower 2008 earnings due in part to lower sales of the Avandia drug. Obviously, the Avandia sales figures have decreased dramtically during the last year as studies have indicated that it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. More ... http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/301369

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

U.S. government researchers have curtailed part of a major clinical trial on the treatment of diabetics, especially those at greatest risk.

The reason: study coordinators found that aggressively lowering blood sugar as close as possible to "normal" levels appeared to increase the risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke.

The study focused on 10,000 adults with Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. The subjects also had cardiovascular disease or at least two contributing risk factors.

The National Institutes of Health halted the study 18 months early after recording 257 deaths among aggressively treated patients, compared to 203 fatalities among those given more standard care.

More ... http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-08-voa33.cfm

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

Chattem, Inc., the maker of Icy Hot Heat Therapy Products, announced that it is initiating a voluntary Nationwide recall of its Icy Hot Heat Therapy products, including consumer samples that were included on a limited promotional basis in cartons of its 3 oz. Aspercreme product. The Company, Chattem, is recalling these products because it has received some consumer reports of first, second and third degree burns as well as skin irritation resulting from consumer use or possible misuse of these products.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

I've noticed that all of the major pharmaceutical companies have visited my blog recently. Glad to see that you are taking notice that people are talking about the dangerous drugs and medical devices on the market. I'm watching you too! Welcome.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22

A Nevada judge has refused to vacate the $134 million Hormone Replacement (Prempro) verdict recently awarded against prescription drug maker Wyeth. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5520267.html

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer: Larry Jones 1-888-KYLAW22