eNews - May 26, 2008
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Is Your Medicine Contaminated?
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In addition to lead-painted toys, toxic pet food, and poisonous toothpaste from abroad, consumers now have something else to worry about - contaminated medicine.
Federal regulators have identified 12 Chinese companies that have supplied contaminated Heparin, a common and widely-prescribed blood thinner, to 11 countries. The contaminant has been clearly linked to severe reactions and 81 deaths in the U.S.
"Pharmaceutical companies and medical providers obtain these cheap medical products and devices from overseas, sometimes choosing profits over safety," said Personal Injury attorney Howard Krepack. "Unfortunately, U.S. regulators cannot be counted on to inspect every product." At its current inspection rate, the FDA would need 27 years just to inspect every foreign manufacturing plant that exports to the U.S.
"Regulators are being asked to cover more ground, but not given the budget to do it," Krepack said. "There's no one monitoring this 'big business' and looking out for the consumer. It is only when injury lawsuits result in corporations having to pay for the damage they've done, that they focus their attention on safety and change their behavior."
Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton and Goldstein has had great success representing clients harmed by toxic substances, or by defective products. If you are experiencing side effects from medication, or have been injured by a medical device, immediately notify your physician. If you would like to talk with an attorney about your case, please contact us at (213) 739-7000 or click here to learn more about your legal options.
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