Drug Injury Lawyers Blog
Indian drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. is facing harsh criticism after issuing a recall for more than 60,000 bottles of its generic cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor. The recall was issued because of a dosage mix-up. A pharmacist discovered a 20-milligram tablet in a bottle marked for 10-milligram tablets. The company confirmed a recall for only select batches of the medication, but it has not yet received any consumer complaints.
This recall is the latest of a series of issues for Ranbaxy. In the past year, Ranbaxy came under fire after its quality control and manufacturing practices came into question by the FDA. In November of 2012, It recalled certain batches of generic Lipitor after discovering it was contaminated with tiny glass particles. The company also found itself at the center of a whistleblower lawsuit last year stemming from a pharmaceutical fraud case in 2007 where it was accused and found to be selling “untested, spurious, and ineffective medication.” The company has since been banned from selling any of its drugs or ingredients in the United States; which was its largest market.
Quality control has not just been an issue for Ranbaxy, in fact other Indian drugmakers have come under closer scrutiny as the FDA, the guardian of the world’s most important pharmaceuticals market, has increased its presence in the country, reflecting India’s growing importance as a supplier to the United States. Indian generic drugmakers currently produce nearly 40 percent of generic drugs and over-the-counter products and 10 percent of finished dosages used in the United States.
ABOUT THE RECALL
The FDA declared the recall of Lipitor generic by Ranbaxy as Class II. A Class II recall means that there is not a significant chance of severe adverse consequences or death that could be caused by the product flaw.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INJURED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE DRUG
Despite rigorous the approval process required by the FDA, our country is still affected by dangerous medications and drugs, every year. Like all consumer products companies, pharmaceutical companies have the legal responsibility to ensure that their drugs are properly tested and do not pose a significant risk to users. Often times these drug companies test their products too hastily or fraudulently to speed up FDA approval-which only means dangerous consequences for consumers. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies are legally obligated to publish possible side effects associated with their medications, but unfortunately that is sometimes not the case.
If you or a loved one was injured by a defective drug do not hesitate to enlist the assistance of an experienced Products Liability Lawyer to discuss your rights and options to collect compensation for your injuries. At the law offices of Altman & Altman, our seasoned team of product liability and drug injury attorneys have decades of experience handling all types of defective medication cases, and have fought against some of the largest pharmaceutical corporations to achieve the highest possible settlements for our clients.
Call our office today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers. Upon review of your case we will determine whether you qualify for filing a products liability claim as well as collecting monetary compensation for your illness or injury. Our attorneys are available around the clock to assist you with any questions you have about your case. Note that we take all personal injury cases on a contingency basis: that is, we charge no fee unless you recover. Moreover, if illness or injuries make travel to our office difficult or impossible, our attorneys are more than happy to meet you at a location convenient for you.
