Pharmaceutical Articles

Beasley Allen has one of the largest and most technologically advanced Mass Torts practices in the country. The Mass Torts division represents numerous people in claims against companies that manufacture and/or market defective pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices. The resources devoted to this division allow the firm to competently and conscientiously handle any group of cases, no matter how large, along with particular catastrophic injury cases.

Our firm was recently involved in one of the greatest victories in Mass Torts history, against drug manufacturer Merck regarding the drug Vioxx. After more than five years of hard-fought and difficult litigation, Merck agreed to pay $4.85 billion, the largest pharmaceutical settlement in U.S. history, to resolve certain Vioxx-related claims involving plaintiffs who suffered a heart attack, including sudden cardiac death, or a stroke.

For-profit dialysis clinics use more costly and dangerous drugs

Posted: May 21, 2013

For-profit dialysis kidney centers use more of an expensive and dangerous class of drugs than nonprofit clinics, according to a report published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine. The drugs are known as erythropoiesis-stimulation agents (ESAs) such as Amgen’s Epogen.

Victims of fungal meningitis outbreak deserve compensation for their pain and suffering

Posted: May 21, 2013

The days when Brian Kennedy can rate his pain as an 8 out of 10 are “good days,” but most often it feels more like a 9 or 10 even with the potent painkiller oxycodone in his system. Kennedy is

Study finds placebo treats symptoms almost as well as antidepressants

Posted: May 21, 2013

A new study shows that placebos may be just as effective as antidepressants for treating depression, suggesting that many people may not need to take the drugs, exposing themselves to potentially dangerous side effects.

Women file lawsuits against makers of transvaginal mesh

Posted: May 20, 2013

Lori Eggenberg thought the surgery she was having to correct urinary incontinence was the newest, most advanced, minimally invasive procedure available. Her doctor used transvaginal mesh to lift up her bladder. It turned out to be her worst nightmare. Lori’s

Researchers study abnormal heart rhythm, sudden cardiac death among dialysis patients

Posted: May 20, 2013

A group of researchers from the University of Cincinnati is hoping that an implantable device can identify undetected heart rhythm abnormalities in patients undergoing hemodialysis. These patients are at high risk for sudden cardiac death, which doctors say may be

Woman sues metal hip implant maker for pain and suffering

Posted: May 19, 2013

Diana Jaras has a difficult time understanding what went wrong with her hip replacement. She was having problems with her hip and had to have her metal-on-metal Stryker implant replaced. She underwent revision surgery three months ago, and now walks

New study shows increased risk of autism in children exposed to SSRIs in utero

Posted: May 19, 2013

Children exposed to antidepressants in their mother’s womb are more likely to develop autism than children who were not exposed to the drugs, a new study suggests. The study identified the risk with both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and

FDA rejects drug maker’s request to block generic versions of opioid painkiller

Posted: May 19, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has vowed to crack down on powerful opioid painkillers that are easily abused and misused; however, the agency this week voted to deny a request by drug maker Endo Health Solutions to block generic

Sleeping pills land more people in emergency room than ever before

Posted: May 18, 2013

The popular prescription sleep medication Ambien and others that contain the active ingredient zolpidem are sending an increasing number of people to the emergency room, a new study has found.

Children on dialysis living longer than in years past

Posted: May 17, 2013

Children on dialysis for end-stage kidney disease have a much lower risk of dying than they did 20 years ago, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).