A drug recall is one of the many ways that America’s drug administration tries to protect us from harmful drugs. Like poisonous food, drinks, and other toxic substances, dangerous drugs can cause long-term health challenges for us. If you’ve already been affected by a harmful medication, you can seek compensation with a defective drug lawyer’s assistance.
According to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), a drug recall means “to remove a defective drug product from the market.” In other words, when a company recalls a drug, they’re physically withdrawing such medication from their points of use. The reason for a recall is because the FDA or manufacturing company has noticed problems with the drug.
While many people understand the meaning of a drug recall, not everyone knows what to do after one. For persons who have been using the medication in question, it can be distressing to hear about its recall. In this article, you’ll learn the steps you must take after a drug recall.
Why Will the FDA Recall a Drug?
There are many reasons why the FDA may recall a medication. They include the following:
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It Poses a Health Risk
The FDA or pharmaceutical company will often recall a drug when it poses a health risk to patients. Sometimes, the companies weren’t aware of the drug’s devastating side effects until after its release into the market. Other times, they knew but failed to disclose them. Either way, when the FDA discovers that a drug’s health risks far outweigh its benefits, it will be recalled.
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Misleading Packaging or Mislabelling
Some drug recalls are due to wrong labeling or poor packaging.
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Contamination and Manufacturing Errors
The FDA or a pharmaceutical company may recall a drug after discovering some contaminants in it. Such contamination is usually due to some errors in the manufacturing process.
Common Examples of Dangerous Drugs
The following drugs have proven to be dangerous or defective over time:
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Taxotere
The FDA approved Taxotere in May 1996 for treating different types of cancer. However, since 2019, there have been mass lawsuits against its manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis, for causing severe hair loss in cancer patients.
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Zantac
The FDA recalled Zantac in April 2020. Although effective in treating heartburn, patients have complained about the increased risk of cancer associated with the drug.
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Hernia Mesh
Hernia mesh is also called surgical mesh. It’s a medical device that helps to support damaged hernia tissues as they heal. Unfortunately, it’s associated with some complications like organ perforation.
What Next After a Drug Recall?
If the FDA recalls your medication, there’s no use panicking. Instead, take wise action by doing the following:
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Get Your Facts Right
After a drug recall, you need all the information you can get, especially about why it was removed from the market. The more factual information you have about the recall, the better the quality of your corresponding action. So, visit the FDA website to learn more about it. If available, be sure to read the instructions on what to do after the recall.
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Call Your Doctor and Pharmacist
Aside from the FDA, your pharmacist is one of the most reliable professionals to get drug recall information from. So, you can ask them any questions you may have about the medication and the next steps to take.
It would help if you also visited your physician after the FDA recalls your medication. Your doctor may prescribe another drug for you. You may also need to check for symptoms of any illnesses the drug may have caused you.
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Get Through to Your Defective Drugs Attorney
If a recalled medication caused you any unexpected health complication, it’ll be wise to visit your lawyer. Your attorney will help you get compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Defective Drug Lawyer ASAP!
From Taxotere to IVC filters, and lots more, many drugs and medical devices have proven to be defective over the years. If you’ve developed health complications from using any dangerous drugs, you deserve adequate compensation. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter if the medication has been recalled or not.
However, you’ll need a defective drug attorney to verify your eligibility for a compensation claim. We can take up your case at Rueb Stoller Daniel and Stoller once we discover that you’re qualified for damages. We’ll fulfill your compensation goals at our law firm through a convenient, no-upfront fee process that you’ll love. Give us a ring immediately.
