Defective Drug Newsletter

California regulators delayed the electronic tracking of prescription drugs for two years on March 25, 2008. A vote of 12-0 by the California State Board of Pharmacy will give drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies an additional two years to prepare for an electronic system that will track prescription drugs from the manufacturer to the patient. The requirement to track prescription drugs has already been delayed by the California State Legislature in 2007. After the most recent vote, the pharmaceutical industry has until January 1, 2011 until they need to be ready to institute the system. The delay is intended to allow the pharmaceutical industry enough time to properly set up the needed computer systems that would comply with the new requirement to track prescriptions. A requirement to track prescriptions has also been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The federal organization will require that drug companies be prepared…
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Beginning this fall, the maximum dose of Extra Strength Tylenol, a brand of acetaminophen that contains 500 milligrams of the drug per pill, will be reduced from eight pills per day to six pills per day, or from 4,000 milligrams to 3,000 milligrams. Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare announced the change in July. The company will also reduce the maximum dosage of Regular Strength Tylenol and other acetaminophen products in 2012. In a similar move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered earlier this year that acetaminophen in prescription painkillers, such as Vicodin and Percocet, will be capped at 325 milligrams per capsule instead of the 700 milligrams previously allowed. The recent dosage adjustments are intended to reduce the number of acetaminophen overdoses, which can be fatal or cause serious health problems. Patients harmed by this dangerous drug can learn about their legal rights by contacting an experienced…
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Studies show the use of Depakote during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects. Depakote, or valproic acid, is an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy, seizures, migraines and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Some doctors also prescribe the medication off-label to treat agitation associated with dementia. Depakote is a pregnancy category D drug, which means studies have shown taking this dangerous drug during pregnancy increases a baby’s risk for birth defects, although doctors can still prescribe Depakote to pregnant women if they feel the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risk to the baby. If your baby was harmed by Depakote taken during pregnancy, an experienced drug attorney can protect your family’s rights. A Look at the Research European researchers found that taking Depakote during the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of six birth defects, including: Spina bifida A heart condition known as an atrial septal…
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The Internet has brought countless information to our fingertips. Unfortunately, with that comes a plethora of false information, scams and hoaxes. One of the newest scams to hit the web are products claiming to prevent and cure cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified 23 specific companies manufacturing false cancer medications both within and outside the United States. The FDA has not approved any of the false cancer products sold by the 23 companies. As most people know, there are many different types of cancer, and most are incurable. Others are treatable if detected early on. In addition, there is a continuous battle of popular opinion as to whether homeopathic therapies could be used as an alternative to chemotherapy and other traditional therapies to cure cancer. Internet scammers have taken advantage of consumers’ vulnerability to market products that do not live up to their claims. For examples, many…
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