Depending on the circumstances of the case, there may be one or more parties that can be held liable if you are injured by a drug or medical device. Negligent parties may include the drug manufacturer, the pharmacist, the hospital, or the individual physician.

•  Drug manufacturer liability – When a pharmaceutical company pushes to put a drug or device on the market without performing adequate testing or in-depth studies, or uses deceptive practices to get it approved, they may be held liable for any harm the drug causes. Additionally, drug manufacturers may be held accountable for failing to warn consumers about all of the potential side effects.
• Pharmacist – If a pharmacist gives you the incorrect dosage of a prescription or the wrong medication altogether, they may be held responsible through a pharmaceutical liability claim.
• Hospital or Clinic – If you are a patient at a hospital or clinic and are given a dangerous drug, the wrong prescription, or an inappropriate dosage that causes harm, the medical center where you were treated may be held responsible for your injuries. 
• Physician or another medical professional – In cases where a doctor or another medical professional prescribes you a dangerous drug, the wrong medication, or fails to ensure the appropriate dosage, they may be held liable in a medical malpractice lawsuit. 

As noted in a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) about the effects of drugs after they’ve reached the market, 30% of drugs that were FDA-approved ended up facing safety concerns after entering the market.

These issues are called “postmarket safety events” and refer to:

• A drug being withdrawn/recalled from the market due to safety concerns
• Warnings being added to product boxes after it has already hit the market
• Other safety communications being issued after a drug has already hit the market

The long-term effect of pharmaceuticals is often unknown until well after a drug or device is approved and on the market. Despite being branded as “safe and effective,” many drugs can have severe adverse side effects that may or may not be fully disclosed to a patient. 

Serious injuries that can result from pharmaceuticals include:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Infertility
• Liver damage
• Cancer
• Increased risk for depression and suicide
• Bacterial infections
• Damage to internal organs

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our primary goal is always to resolve your pharmaceutical litigation matter efficiently while remaining mindful of your immediate and long-term goals. Medical information and scientific data can be difficult to decipher. We’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our reliance on prescription drugs has increased drastically over the past thirty years:  

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 48% of the United States takes at least one prescription drug. 
• Nearly one-quarter of Americans take three or more prescription drugs, and over twelve percent take five or more. 
• There are almost three billion drugs ordered or provided each year.

With the heavy use of prescription drugs in the country, it is vital that manufacturers provide detailed information regarding the potential side effects, addictive properties, and risks associated with any pharmaceutical. 

Thorough research, testing, and clinical trials must be performed before drugs reach the market. The FDA must enforce robust safety requirements prior to approval. Millions of people rely on prescription drugs and medical devices to prevent life-threatening conditions. When those drugs or devices cause serious injury, a negligent party must be held responsible. Call our office at (713) 496-0549 to speak directly with one of our Houston pharmaceutical liability lawyers.