If you’re sick and prescribed a medication by a medical professional, you shouldn’t have to worry about potential side effects that may be harmful. Trust is a big part of medicine, and unfortunately, big pharmaceutical companies may betray that trust in order to rake in big profits. Such was the case when Sanofi-Aventis released their defective chemotherapy drug to cancer patients.
But how do these drugs bypass governmental regulation and oversight in order to make it into our market?
A largely held misconception is that members of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the ones who do the testing on various products before they are approved for the market; however, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) called out the FDA on multiple occasions for being too short of staff and inadequately equipped to do everything it can to protect the public. This, in general, has led to major consequences in how some offending pharmaceutical companies run their business.
The Unfortunate Truth
Because of the FDA’s lack of resources, they are sometimes forced to rely on clinical trials on drugs that were performed by the very manufacturers who are trying to sell the product in the first place. For this reason, companies looking to put profits over people can get their defective medications approved by the FDA with tests they ran much easier than what we would expect.
Regarding Taxotere, the drug may have been used in treating breast cancer in patients, but it caused excessive tearing, or epiphora, a long-lasting condition that alters the lives of these individuals. These patients were not made aware of the side effect when initially agreeing to treatment. In fact, a study done in 2014 from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that 64% of Taxotere patients were found likely to have epiphora.
Despite pharmaceutical corporations doing everything they can to avoid liability, our 7th amendment right guarantees you a trial by jury. Being honest and forthright with consumers about the drugs being distributed on the market should be something that is paramount to a pharmaceutical company’s daily operation, but until they start taking on this responsibility, you need someone who will fight for you.
You Don’t Have to Fight Your Battle Alone
While strengthening the FDA, their ability to check the tests companies run, and their ability to review results more closely all may seem like the optimal route to take, having experienced legal representation at your side is something that victims of Sanofi-Aventis’ deceit need right now.
Although defective and dangerous drugs like Taxotere will continue to be sold, that doesn’t mean you should shoulder all of the losses on your own or have to accept unforeseen side effects that weren’t disclosed to you when the medication was prescribed.
Epiphora and other conditions caused by drugs that haven’t been properly taken off the market and kept away from consumers shouldn’t be able to dictate the future for you or your loved ones. While our chemotherapy tearing attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC won’t be able to prevent dangerous products from being sold on the market, we can help you fight for the civil justice you deserve.
Take a stand today, and contact our national Taxotere lawsuit lawyers to start you on your path to justice.
Schedule My FREE Consultation
The current coronavirus pandemic is presenting individuals and families with newfound challenges on a daily basis.
Whether it is facing unemployment, adjusting to social distancing, or keeping enough food on the table, the one thing Americans have in common right now is uncertainty. However, trusting the medication you’re prescribed shouldn’t be on this list of concerns.
Members of our legal team at Hotze Runkle PLLC believe consumers ought to be able to trust their healthcare providers and drug manufacturers. Unfortunately, we also know this is not always the case. We’re confident in taking down manufacturers, specifically Sanofi-Aventis, in regards to their chemotherapy drug Taxotere and fighting for patients who have been harmed from undisclosed side effects.
Spotting Faulty Medication During These Tough Times
You want your medicine to do what it says it’s going to do, but in the face of the widespread infection of COVID-19, there’s even more at risk from medicine manufacturers who make false claims.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we have the experience and track record of defeating established drug manufacturers who are comfortable withholding information from honest consumers.
Here are some tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for spotting faulty coronavirus cures:
- Be suspicious of products that claim to treat a wide range of diseases.
- Personal testimonials are no substitute for scientific evidence.
- Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, so be suspicious of any therapy claimed as a “quick fix.”
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- “Miracle cures,” claimed as scientific breakthroughs or containing secret ingredients, are likely a hoax.
- Know that you can’t test yourself for COVID-19.
Examples of Fraudulent Coronavirus Medications
The FDA continues to make it clear to the public that while researchers and healthcare professionals continue to investigate, there has yet to be a medication or vaccine discovered to prevent or treat the coronavirus.
Jim Bakker is a televangelist who is currently being sued by Missouri for the production and sale of Silver Solution. He debuted this fake medication, which he claimed could cure the coronavirus in February on his TV show, and by doing so violated both state and federal law.
There have also been multiple, fake at-home tests being sold across the country. These cannot accurately tell individuals if they test positive for COVID-19 and also have the potential to cause harm.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you may be able to recover from the virus at home, but you do need to monitor your symptoms closely and separate yourself from others.
Aside from common over-the-counter medications to treat a fever, cough or other symptoms, you should not be purchasing anything that isn’t approved by the CDC to treat or test for the coronavirus. You should seek out medical attention if you start to experience any of the following:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
You Deserve the Truth
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we do not condone the advertisement and sale of faulty medication. This includes companies being negligent when sharing potential side effects with consumers.
Our experience with pharmaceutical lawsuits is something we want to continue to share with individuals who have been harmed as a result of Taxotere.
Long-term side effects caused by medications that make false claims can cause physical and mental trauma. Whether it’s the unexpected side effects of Taxotere or the false claims of other pharmaceutical companies, our lawyers are here to help you file your Taxotere claim and come out on the other side of it victorious – and with the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (877) 919-0830 for a FREE case review.