An established group of doctors - many part of the same group that first exposed the risks associated with Vioxx - has published an austere warning on the cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia in the New England Journal of Medicine. About 4 million Americans currently take the drugs, accounting for $5 billion in sales last year alone for the pharmaceutical companies Merck (Vytorin) and Schering-Plough (Zetia).

At the moment, no evidence exists to show that Vytorin and Zetia help patients…The drugs could even be harmful.

- Yale University cardiologist Dr. Harlan Krumholz

The doctors involved with the study say that there is no evidence showing the drugs can slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries and in fact, may speed it up. They are now recommending that doctors not prescribe the drugs, unless used as a ‘last resort.’ This is obviously a very troublesome blow for Merck and Schering-Plough, who were quick to respond that they would continue to market the drugs as they have been.

This is yet another instance that demonstrates the much bigger problem of pharmaceutical companies that put the health and well-being of millions of people on the line in order to maximize profit on their drugs. As we have seen with Vioxx and others, there is much cause for scrutiny and caution. We will continue to monitor this case. If you are currently taking Vytorin or Zetia, please consult with your doctor as to whether you should continue taking these drugs.

Tags: No Comments.

We are now representing a woman that has lost the sight in her eye as a result of the release of a bungee cord with a hook that struck her eye. Our research confirms that the industry has known about this eye injury hazard for decades through peer reviewed medical literature, expert forensic analysis and numerous claims resulting from hundreds of trips to the emergency rooms across this county.

There are several alternative designs that are in use that eliminate this hook release hazard and people need to be told that when they use this product they need to position themselves away from the hook and to wear safety glasses.

I have spoken to attornies across the country that have brought these claims and we have the research and safety studies which prove that a bungee cord with at hook at the end is defective and unreasonably dangerous.

I hope that anyone reading this is now aware of this serious risk of eye injury. If you know of anyone that has sustained this injury, have them contact me for a free confidential consultation.

Tags: No Comments.

Many people are injured while riding on various types of All Terrain Vehicles. ‘3-Wheeler’ ATV’s (long not in production for safety reasons) come to mind as being some of the most defective-by-design ATV’s that caused many injuries. We consistently represent people injured by dangerous products and associate with experts on this type of ATV.

Aggressive and improper operation will always put ATV riders at risk for injury, however, the large number of people who have been seriously hurt or killed while operating Yamaha’s Rhino indicates a defective design. The narrow wheelbase, small wheels, and top-heavy design of this ATV has led to the many riders experiencing sudden rollovers

In the event that you or someone that you know has been involved in an accident while operating a Yamaha Rhino or other type of ATV, I am happy to discuss your case and give you candid answers regarding your situation.

Tags: No Comments.

Apparently, the news for Bayer is getting worse on the Trasylol front. A medical researcher has condemned the drug company for it’s lack of cooperation in getting the dangerous drug used in thousands of heart surgeries off the market after his initial findings.

From Reuters:

Dr. Dennis Mangano, the study’s researcher, said during the program that 22,000 lives could have been saved if Trasylol had been taken off the market when he first published his study in January 2006, according to a CBS News report on its Web site ahead of a broadcast slated for next Sunday.

He said in the broadcast that Bayer failed to disclose to the FDA during an FDA advisory panel meeting in September 2006 — at which Mangano’s negative findings were discussed — that the German drugmaker had conducted its own research which confirmed the same dangers established by his study.

The chairman of the FDA advisory panel, Dr. William Hiatt, told 60 Minutes he would have voted to remove Trasylol from the market had he been informed about Bayer’s study, according to the CBS report.

Bayer spokeswoman Meredith Fischer said she could not comment about the broadcast until it is aired, including allegations that the drugmaker had failed to protect patients.

She said Bayer is facing a number of product-liability lawsuits filed by patients who had taken the medicine or their families, but said she not know how many lawsuits were filed.

There are certainly many patients and families that have been affected by this. I’m willing to talk with anyone who has questions regarding Trasylol or other dangerous drugs. If you have any questions please contact me at your convenience.

Tags: No Comments.

In early November, the FDA announced that sales of Bayer’s Trasylol (aprotinin) - used to reduce bleeding during heart surgeries - would be suspended pending further investigation into a recent study that indicated increased risk of death linked to the use of Trasylol. The Canadian study, known as the BART study also indicated that Trasylol might also increase the risk for stroke, kidney failure, and heart attack during surgery. Additionally, long after surgery patients may suffer injuries or conditions as a result of the use of Trasylol during a bypass procedure.

Trasylol has been administered to over 1 million patients in the last 14 years. We will continue to monitor the extent to which Trasylol has contributed to injury and death in patients undergoing bypass surgery.

Tags: No Comments.