Because Expericence Matters

Pharmaceutical Injuries

According to the American Medical Association, pharmaceutical injuries-- or adverse reactions to prescription drugs-- are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. While this figure is staggering, it fails to include the deaths and injuries resulting from drug abuse or prescription errors. The AMA states that reactions to prescription and over-the-counter medications, “kill far more people annually than all illegal drug use combined.”

In recent years, the scrutiny over the pharmaceutical industry and U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been especially high. This is due, in part, to major drug and medical device recalls nationwide. Several FDA agency whistleblowers and respected medical professionals have spoken out about dangerous pharmaceutical drugs and dodgy industry practices. These recent developments highlight the failures of a system designed to ensure consumers receive safe and effective pharmaceutical products. Tragically, these failures have contributed to thousands of consumer pharmaceutical injuries.

In September 2004, Merck & Co. recalled its popular arthritis painkiller Vioxx after a study showed use of the drug for 18 months or longer doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke. Experts consider the Vioxx recall a glaring example of drug industry dominance over federal regulation. Some prominent authorities believe the Vioxx blunder highlights the FDA’s failure to protect the health of the American public. Dr. David Graham, an associate director of the FDA’s Office of Drug Safety, called the FDA’s actions “a profound regulatory failure” before Congress in November 2004. He also voiced concern about several available drugs that pose a significant threat of fatal and serious pharmaceutical injuries. These dangerous drugs included Meridia, Serevent, Accutane, Crestor, and Bextra.

Dr. Graham claims Vioxx alone is responsible for causing more than 55,000 deaths and 160,000 heart attacks. Since the 2004 recall of this painkiller, at least 7,000 lawsuits have been filed on behalf of consumers who have suffered serious pharmaceutical injuries from using Vioxx. The massive recall has also forced regulators to take a closer look at how well American consumers are being protected. Tragically, Vioxx is just one example of the devastating effects of pharmaceutical injuries.

There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs which pose a high risk of pharmaceutical injuries. Until drug regulation improves-- thus preventing dangerous drugs from becoming so widely available to Americans—the threat of pharmaceutical injuries will remain. At least 200 families of prescription drugs currently carry FDA issued ‘black box’ warnings. These warnings tell of the serious risk of pharmaceutical injuries posed by these medications. Most of these warnings are not adequately conveyed or understood by consumers.

If you or a loved one has suffered pharmaceutical injuries while taking a medication, please contact our highly qualified pharmaceutical drug lawyers. You may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses and suffering.

The Miller Firm, LLC
The Sherman Building
108 Railroad Avenue
Orange, Virginia 22960
Toll free: 866-529-3323
Phone: 540-672-4224
Fax: 540-672-3055


Alexandria, VA Office
105 North Alfred Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Toll Free: (800) 882-2525
Phone: (703) 519-8080
Fax: (703) 519-8084


Philadelphia Office
555 East City Avenue
Suite 910
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Toll Free: (800) 689-6959
Phone: (610) 660-0622
Fax: (610) 660-0628