Pharmaceutical Litigation in Portland, Oregon
Drug manufacturers, pharmacists and physicians all have a responsibility to each and every patient who is administered a medication, that the drug be proven safe and reliable for successful treatment. Even though drugs are generally tested in objective and rigorous clinical trials, money and politics still rule the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. Billions and billions of dollars are made on the annual sale of medications, so it’s no wonder that corners are cut and clinical studies are sped up to get certain drugs to market. Insufficient testing and dishonest results often cloud the true effectiveness of prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs may not be quite as beneficial as labels suggest. Learn about some of the legal cases we are handling right now involving prescription drugs responsible for death and severe injury.
Vioxx®
As you read this, our attorneys in Portland, Oregon are fighting for the rights of victims involved in Vioxx® claim cases. Vioxx® is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory painkiller that was voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer in September 2004 due to concerns that the prescription drug increased patient risk of heart injury such as stroke or heart attack. Belonging to the COX-2 inhibitor class of painkillers, concerns with Vioxx® have become a global issue as an estimated 80 million people have taken the drug worldwide. Even in Oregon, we have found Vioxx® claim cases involving serious health injury and death simply from taking a drug purported to reduce pain. As a result, the Vioxx® recall marks the largest medication call back in history. If you reside in Oregon and feel you have a Vioxx® claim, please contact our attorneys today to get the help you need to fight for your rights to fair health care.
Celebrex®
Celebrex® is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory painkiller similar to Vioxx®, also classified as a COX-2 inhibitor. Although Celebrex® has been associated with an increased likelihood of heart problems, unlike Vioxx®, Celebrex® was never recalled by its manufacturer because there was slightly less evidence linking the drug to heart failure. Concerns have mounted against the drug, but its manufacturer maintains its safety. Still, there have been some instances of heart failure noted in clinical studies, but as the manufacturer states, at acceptable levels of harm. We ask: How can a company tell a family that the death of their loved one is an acceptable risk from taking a drug meant to help, not harm? We believe that even a single death or major side effect is unacceptable and this is why we have taken issue with Celebrex®. If you believe you have been the victim of harmful side effects from prescription drugs, please contact us today.
Bextra®
Bextra® is another non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory painkiller of the COX-2 inhibitor class used to treat symptoms of arthritis. Many studies have been performed on Bextra® and some cases of heart failure directly resulting from taking the drug have been noted. The increased risk of heart failure was found in patients already at high risk of heart failure who had recently undergone major heart surgery. Because of the drug’s inherent similarity to Vioxx® and Celebrex®, Bextra® has been the target of increased scrutiny and concern for patient health. If you or a loved one has taken or is taking Bextra® and have experienced heart problems contact our attorneys today to find out how you should proceed.
Accutane®
With offices located in Portland, Oregon, our Accutane® lawyers fight for the rights of victims of prescription drug side effects. Accutane® is one of the many medications we have experience litigating against. Accutane® is a prescription acne medication that is used when other forms of treatment fail. Mild side effects range from dry skin to increased sun sensitivity and nausea. But there is another more serious health risk associated with Accutane® that is the cause for warning pregnant mothers against taking the drug. Accutane® has been shown to cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth or even death. The FDA also associates Accutane® with risk of mental disorders and suicide in patients after stopping use of the drug. If you believe you are the victim of the serious side effects of Accutane®, contact our lawyers for help.
If you have questions about your case, please contact our personal injury attorneys in Portland, Oregon today. We can help.
Also learn about these areas of medical malpractice: