Duragesic and Fentanyl Patch lawsuits investigated for users of recalled patches
For the third time in less than a month, a fentanyl patch recall has been issued due to fears that manufacturing defects could allow the powerful medication contained in the patch to leak directly onto the skin. This could cause respiratory depression, a fentanyl overdose or death. Millions of potentially defective patches have now been recalled and the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Duragesic and Fentanyl Patch lawsuits for users who have experienced a severe injury or death as a result of an overdose.
>>INFORMATION: Fentanyl Patch Lawsuits
Over the weekend, Actavis, Inc. expanded their prior generic fentanyl patch recall to include all lots of their fentanyl transdermal system patches sold in the United States. On February 17, the company recalled 14 lots of patches due to fears that they may contain a “fold-over” defect which may allow fentanyl gel to leak directly onto the skin. Millions of additional fentanyl patches are now being recalled because the company fears that the manufacturing defect may be more widespread than initially thought.
>>PRIOR POST (2/19/2008): Generic Fentanyl Patch Recall
On February 12, Johnson & Johnson announced a separate recall for about 32 million or their 25 microgram-per-hour brand-name Duragesic patches and certain generic fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz, Inc., which were made at their facility. That recall was caused by a different manufacturing defect where the patches were not properly put in place when they were cut. As a result, some of the patches contained a slit along one side, which could also allow the fentanyl gel to leak directly onto the skin.
>>PRIOR POST (2/13/2008): Duragesic Fentanyl Patch Recall
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid painkiller which is approved in gel form as the Duragesic patch and generic fentanyl patch. They deliver the fentanyl gel through a membrane which is placed onto the skin. However, if the membrane fails to properly restrict the delivery of the fentanyl, or if the gel leaks directly onto the skin of patients or caregivers who are putting the patch on someone else, it could lead to serious and potentially fatal injuries.
DURAGESIC AND FENTANYL PATCH LAWSUITS
Well before these recalls, the fentanyl lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. have been representing individuals who were injured as a result of problems with the Duragesic and Fentanyl patch. Lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States as a result of improper warnings about the risks of overdose, as well as other manufacturing defects. In July 2005 and again in December 2007, the FDA issued warnings about the risks associated with the patches and hundreds of deaths and unintentional overdoses have been caused by the dangerous pain patches.
Despite repeated manufacturing problems and reports of fentanyl overdose and death, the manufacturers of the Duragesic patch and generic fentanyl patches have continued to generate billions of dollars in sales at the expense of consumers’ health. If a friend or family member have died or suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of a fentanyl patch, request a free consultation and lawsuit evaluation.
