Plavix safety risks ignored in makers’ push for profits
[alert type=”general” accent_color=”” background_color=”” border_size=”1px” icon=”fa-asterisk” box_shadow=”yes” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””]UPDATE: Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is no longer accepting new Plavix cases.
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Plavix was approved in April 1997 after a rare priority regulatory review by the FDA. The expedited review was requested so that the medication could be brought to the market very quickly. When FDA advisory panel recommended that the agency approve the drug, reservations were expressed by some panel members about the benefits of Plavix. Some researchers indicated that although Plavix would be approved, they were not convinced that it was any safer or more effective than Aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes. It appears that those concerns were well founded since recent studies have demonstrated that Plavix has no benefit over Aspirin and may actually increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, abnormal bleeding and ulcers for some users.
>>MORE INFORMATION: Plavix side effects
After the FDA approved Plavix, the manufacturers aggressively marketed the medication, and it was pushed by drug representatives for uses that were beyond what had been found safe. An article published in the New York Times on October 25, 1997 estimated that the new medication may generate between $300 million and $1 billion in annual sales over the coming years. However, as a result of over-promotion and exaggerated statements about the benefits of Plavix, sales currently exceed $6.3 billion a year.
The manufacturers have received several FDA Plavix warning letters as a result of what they considered false, misleading and unsubstantiated promotional statements. They were more concerned with generating increased sales, even if it increased the risk of injury for users.
The fact that the manufacturers rushed the FDA approval process is further indication of the priority they placed on their ability to bring the product to market and profit from the medication, even at the expense of patient safety.
Recently criminal investigations have surrounded Bristol-Myers Squibb for their fraudulent actions in trying to keep generic Plavix from reaching the market and impacting their exclusive market on the blood thinner. This is further evidence that this corporation is willing to bend the rules to generate a profit.
Our lawyers are investigating Plavix lawsuits for users of the blood thinner who have suffered a heart attack, stroke, internal bleeding, ulcers or death. To find out if you or a family member has a claim, request a free case evaluation.
4 Comments • Add Your Comments
Barbara Johnston says:
Good Morning – I would like as much information as you can provide for the law suits against Plavix. I just was recenting released from the hospital and I have a very low blood count. I got off Plavix and am starting to feel much better.
In telling the doctors about my thoughts of Plavix, seems it was a 50/50 discussion. A number did not seem to believe me. I can not take aspirin and I know it but every one thought that Plavix was not compared to it but now I read your web-page and totally realize that I must have been right all along !!!!!!!!!!!!
Please contact me.
Barbara
Posted on March 11, 2007 at 10:33 am
Austin Kirk says:
Ms. Johnston,
Our Plavix lawyers are pursuing lawsuits for individuals who have taken Plavix and suffered side effects including heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers or TTP blood disorder. Several Plavix lawsuits have been filed across the country and they are all in the very early stages of litigation.
If you belive that you may have a claim, please complete our case evaluation form. Concerns regarding whether you should be taking Plavix should be reviewed with your doctor. However, if there is additional information you would like forwarded to you, please feel free to send us an email privately at feedback@skmlaw.com containing your mailing address.
Posted on March 11, 2007 at 9:56 pm
jean says:
HI , I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY FATHER IN-LAW. HE HAS BEEN ON PLAVIX SINCE 2005. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS HE HAS BEEN GOING DOWN HILL. HE WAS JUST RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY,THE 26TH. IN THE PAST HE HAS HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY,AND THE DR PUT HIM ON PLAVIX. HE IS HAVING SYMPTOMS OF WEAKNESS AND VERY PALE. COULD THIS BE THE PLAVIX CAUSING THIS? DR RELEASED HIM IN THIS SHAPE ,WHICH HE STILL SHOULD BE IN THE HOSPITAL. HIS BLOOD PRESURE DROPS SOMETIMES DOWN TO 69/32. THIS HAS ME AND MY FAMILY WORRIED. HE HAS HAD 6 TO 7 BYPASSES, HE SPENT 3 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL ,AND WE STILL KNOW NOTHING. ANY CONCERNS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU
JEAN
Posted on March 27, 2007 at 5:55 am
Carolyn Darden says:
I am concerned that I have been taking Plavix, plus asprin, for 3 years. It was prescribed after a mild TIA and Stenting of the LCA. The stenting failed and though I did not know it for another year and a half, the LCA was completely occluded.
This was hidden from me and desparately needed spinal surgury was strongly discouraged. ( in order to hold secret the mistakes) This Friday I leave for Mayo Clinic, unable to walk – to see if they can help me at all. If Plavix is even a small part of my problems, I need to get off of it!
Carolyn Darden
Posted on April 11, 2007 at 11:04 pm