Corpus Christi Personal Injury Lawyer - FDA & Prescription Drugs

Beef Recalled Due To E. Coli Contamination

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:18:00 GMT

A beef recall has been announced by JBS-Swift Beef Co. after an investigation found at least 18 people were sickened with E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that health officials believe may be linked to the tainted meat.

Today, the company announced an expanded recall to include 38,000lbs of assorted beef products boosting the total to more than 412lbs of recalled beef.

E.coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and, in severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

“During an investigation of the Plainview facility, FDA found that some of the equipment was contaminated with Salmonella. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not linked any human illnesses to potentially contaminated products from the Plainview facility.”

Read the FDA News Release regarding the beef recall. For a complete list of the recalled beef products, read the USDA News Release.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Pistachio Products Recalled For Possible Salmonella Contamination

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:18:00 GMT

More than one million pounds of roasted pistachio products have been recalled by a California food processing plant because they may be contaminated with salmonella.

The products came from Setton Farms in Terra Bella, California. They were mostly distributed to food wholesalers that repackaged them or incorporated them as ingredients in other products such as trail mix.

To date, no illnesses have been linked to the tainted products, said David Acheson, FDA associate commissioner. But salmonella strains were discovered last week during a routine test by Kraft Foods, one of many companies that use pistachios from Setton Farms.

Acheson emphasized that unlike the recent case of salmonella-tainted peanut butter, this recall was not prompted by an sickness outbreak, saying the decision was a "proactive" move. He said the FDA has received two recent complaints, from the East and West coasts, from people who say they became ill after eating pistachio products, but a link to Setton Farms has not been confirmed, he said.

To be safe, it is best if consumers avoid eating pistachio products for the time being, but they shouldn’t discard them either. More recalls are likely to be addressed and having products that could be turned in would allow for easier tracing of contamination.

The FDA updates a special page dedicated to the tainted pistachios regularly. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

All Shipments of Hydromorphone HCl 2 mg Tablets Voluntarily Suspended

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:06:00 GMT

On December 19, 2008, KV Pharmaceutical advised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that the company has voluntarily suspended all shipments of drug products in tablet form.

Also included in the recall is a single production lot of Hydromorphone HCI 2 mg tablets (Exp date: 3/2010, Lot 90219; NDC 58177-0620-04), a pain management medication packaged under the ETHEX label in 100-count bottles, following reports of oversized tablets.

If someone were to take a higher than expected dose of Hydromorphone, the risk of adverse effects known to be associated with the drug may be increased, including respiratory depression (difficulty or lack of breathing), low blood pressure, and sedation.

The company has provided additional details on their Web site, which can be viewed here.

The company is unable to pinpoint when distribution of tablet-form products will resume.

A full list of suspended products can be viewed on the Web site under “Tablets Effected by Shipment Suspension.”

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Second Baby dies at Christus Spohn South after Heparin Overdose Error

Jesse Guerra / Texas Safety Lawyer — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:29:56 GMT

A second baby has died at Christus Spohn South this week after an error in overdosing the drug, Heparin, by the hospital's pharmacy. The second baby was the twin sister of the first infant who died after a mistaken overdose of Heparin was administered to as many as seventeen infants in the neonatal unit of the hospital at Spohn South.
The Garcia Twins, Keith and Kaylynn, were born July first. The parents Erika and Eric Garcia were young parents who were working to raise a family in Alice, Texas. The tragic loss of the twins has left the family devastated. The family has since hired an attorney to represent them in a case against the hospital for negligence of the overdose of Heparin that was administered to both twins. A temporary restraining order was filed to preserve the medical records of the infants by their attorney to secure any evidence that may prove relevant to the case.
The infants were born at Spohn Hospital in Alice, Texas and were transferred to Christus Spohn shortly after for care in the neonatal unit of Spohn South in Corpus Christi, Texas less than 50 miles from Alice becuase of their preemie condition.
An autopsy has been ordered in an effort to see if and how the overdose of Heparin may have played a role in the deaths of these innocent preemies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra / Texas Safety Lawyer

One Baby Dies at Christus Spohn South Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Bob Hilliard — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:18:22 GMT

CNN News has reported that Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas has confirmed the death of a seven day old baby in their neonatal intensive care unit yesterday morning .

The infant was one of seventeen infants that may have received overdoses of the controversial drug Heparin . A drug widely used to flush intravenous lines at hospitals. Other news reports indicate that the infants who were given the drug may have received a dosage 100 times higher than normal.

In a press conference yesterday, hospital officials confirmed that a mistake did take place in the pharmacy resulting in a higher dosage being mixed before the drug was administered.

Up to seventeen infants in the neonatal unit may have been affected by the overdoses. One baby is still critical according to Dr. Richard Davis, chief medical officer, for Christus Spohn Health System.

Infant overdoses from Heparin received national media attention when actor Dennis Quaid's children were given Heparin overdoses in November of last year.

While the hospital has apologized for the mix up yesterday, the fear of liability is running rampant across the hospital. In an effort to spin the story, hospital officials were quick to point out that all these babies in the neonatal unit were seriously ill, possibly implying that the deceased infant's health, may have played a role in the death.

Preemies are the most fragile of newborns. Delicate pieces of irreplaceable crystal that need the utmost careful attention who face uphill medical issues due to being born premature. These tiny angels and their parents trust those who are responsible for their medical care. To knowingly overdose an infant is unforgivable. There can be no errors, either by the hospital or the drug manufacturer when it comes to treating babies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Hilliard

Texas Infant Dies after Heparin Overdose at Spohn South Hospital

Bob Hilliard — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:52:39 GMT

In a press conference earlier this evening, Spohn CEO Bruce Holstein acknowledged " something went terribly wrong".

Breaking news by local TV station KIII confirmed that one of the 14 infants who was overdosed with the controversial drug Heparin this July 4th Weekend was pronounced dead this morning at Christus Spohn South Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. The death may likely have been caused due to a higher than normal dosage of the drug Heparin being administered to the infant this past weekend.

Heparin is widely used to flush intravenous lines to prevent blood clots from forming. Side effects have been uncontrolled bleeding and bruising on the body.

Spohn CEO, Holstein, admitted that a pharmacy mixing error may have been to blame for the death of the seven day old infant. The mixing process took place on July 3rd and the doses were administered to the 14 infants on July 4th. As of Sunday evening Spohn officials began investigating what went wrong. As of yesterday all the infants given the overdose were being closely monitored.

However, this morning news spread of the fatal infant's overdose by the hands of Spohn's medical staff. Heparin has received national media attention after numerous deaths were reported as a result of the drug's use. Eleven other infants at Spohn are being closely monitored by Spohn after receiving overdoses this past weekend.

This is truly a tragedy that could have been prevented had the proper standard of care been taken and proper dosage administered.

Holstein maintained at the press conference that Spohn is keeping close ties with the families that have been affected by the overdose of the drug. I have no doubt they will continue those efforts for fear of the liability and risk they have brought on themselves as a result of their pharmacy mishap.

It's important for families to know that hospital officials reaching out to them are doing their best to limit the legal exposure to Spohn while aiding and courting families during these tragic times.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Hilliard

FDA Warns Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream Can be Harmful to Nursing Infants

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 24 May 2008 22:02:00 GMT

The FDA warns consumers not to use Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc. because it contains potentially harmful ingredients that may cause diarrhea, vomiting and respiratory distress in infants.

The product is promoted to new Mom’s that are nursing to help soothe and heal dry or cracked nipples. The labeling on the product states it is not necessary to remove the cream prior to nursing baby; however, the product ingredients may be harmful to infants.

Potentially harmful ingredients in Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream are chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol. Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing) in infants. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.

Parents are advised to watch their infant’s for signs of decreased appetite. More serious signs and symptoms to watch for include difficulty in waking the child, limpness of the extremities or a change in the child’s skin color. If you notice any changes or symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.

While the FDA has not received any reports of injury to infants, the FDA is alerting the public because of the potential harm this product can have on nursing infants.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to report adverse events related to this product or any FDA approved product to MedWatch, the agency's voluntary reporting program, by e-mail at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm, or by phone at 800-332-1088, or by fax to 800-332-0178. Consumers may also mail reports of adverse events to MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20852-9787.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

HEART PATIENT SUES OVER FAULTY MEDTRONIC DEFIBRILLATOR

Jesse Guerra — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:57:46 GMT

A man who claims he received 47 unneeded jolts from his implanted defibrillator is suing Medtronic Inc. over defective wires used in the defibrillator.

According to the Kansas City Star News report, "Medtronic Inc., maker of pacemakers and other heart devices, has acknowledged that wires connecting its implantable defibrillators to patient hearts break more often than it expected." The suit claims that he experienced "frightening" episodes of unnecessary shocks. Removing the wires can cause scarring and create unnecessary complicated surgery.

It should also be noted that a spokesman for the defibrillator manufacturer, Medtronic Inc., did not have an immediate comment on the law suit.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

FDA Issues Warning For Pain Killer Drug Fentora

Jesse Guerra — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:33:36 GMT

U.S. Drug regulators issued a public health advisory about the potential risks of a pain drug made by Cephalon Inc.

The drug, Fentora, has been aproved to treat cancer patients whose severe pain cannot be controlled from other pain killers such as morphine and other pain releiver drugs. Fentora is 80 times stronger than morphine and has been linked to some recent deaths after taking Fentora. The FDA has asked Cephalon Inc., the drug's manufacturer to improve safety labels for the drug that reflect safety messages about the drug, which comes in pill form.

Attorney Robert "Bob" Hilliard has been trying personal injury cases since 1983. Bob has been listed as a Texas Super Lawyer on several occassions and most recently in 2007. He is Board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Bob has helped many clients who have taken drugs that have been known to cause severe health problems and even death. His firm has the resources and the legal skills to represent you or a loved one in complex cases against major drug companies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

FDA Issues Saftey Alert on Avandia

Jesse Guerra — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:55:57 GMT

The U.S. Food and drug Administration (FDA) is aware of a potential safety issue related to Avandia (rosigliazone), a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Safety data from controlled clinical trials have demonstrated a potentially significant increase in the risk of heart attacks and heart-related deaths in patients taking Avandia. One study reported by The New York Times found that Avandia made by GlaxoSmithKline, doubled the risks of heart failure and raised the risks of heart attack by 42 percent. The Avandia controversy ignited in May 2007 when the New England Journal of Medicine published a combined analysis of more than 40 studies of Avandia that found that the drug significantly raised the risks of heart attack. In addition to the risks associated with heart failure, the drug has been linked to causing blindness and doubles the risks of bone fractures in women according to a study done by Wake forest University on four long-term studies. In June 2007 the FDA placed the strictest warning labels on Avandia because of all the risks associated with taking the drug.

Hilliard and Munoz LLP has the resources and legal skills to take on the largest Drug manufacturers in the world and have done so successfully in the past with other defective drugs that have been placed in consumers' hands. Bob Hilliard is board certified by the state of Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law. Hilliard and Munoz LLP has also handled class action law suits involving thousands of plaintiff's nationwide. If you have questions relating to Avandia and have suffered heart failure from taking Avandia, we may be able to help you with any legal claims you are entitled to for your pain and suffering or loss of life by a loved one who had been taking Avandia.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra