Posted in Defective Product on June 10, 2020
As human beings, getting sick is just part of our experience. However, with the dawn of modern medicine, we now have the ability to be seen by a doctor, diagnosed, and often, prescribed medicines that can help us to feel better more quickly and more effectively than simply living with an ailment, waiting it out, or worse, suffering dire consequences.
The problem is that, many times, the drugs that we are prescribed by our healthcare providers are automatically presumed to be vetted and safe. After all, in the United States, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has a process for approving drugs before they’re available to the masses.
Sometimes, however, even after a drug has been vigorously tested and out in the market for quite some time, important findings can trickle in— even if it’s thought to be generally safe. This can include a number of different side effects being reported, and studies coming back showing that the drug is potentially defective, does more harm than good, or even contain a higher potency than previously thought.
So, what typically happens when a drug is identified as defective? If the drug is found to be harmful, to contain unidentified compounds or things that weren’t previously disclosed, or thought to cause side effects that were either undocumented or particularly harmful, drugs can be recalled.
According to the FDA, “a drug recall is the most effective way to protect the public from a defective or potentially harmful product. A recall is a voluntary action taken by a company to remove a defective drug product from the market. Drug recalls may be conducted on a company’s own initiative or by FDA request. FDA’s role in a recall is to oversee a company’s strategy, assess the adequacy of the recall and classify the recall.”
What’s important to remember is that recalls may not always happen until a later date, if at all, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding a particular drug. However, that doesn’ mean that you haven’t been exposed to a dangerous, potentially damaging medication.
So, what should you do if you’re concerned about a drug that you, or a loved one, has taken that could be potentially defective?
When it comes to most drugs, there are always a certain number of potential side effects and risks that you accept when taking them to solve your ailments. However, when a drug is harmful to you or your loved ones, it’s important to understand any health repercussions that you may be facing, as well as your options. Often, it’s possible to get compensated for any time taken off of work due to the results of taking the drug, pain & suffering, and more. However, the best way to do this is to get in touch with a lawyer who knows the space and more importantly, can guide you through any options you might have.