The purpose of drugs is often to treat medical conditions. Although many drugs have positive effects on our bodies and health, not all drugs available on the market are safe for public use. Unfortunately, by the time dangers associated with over the counter or prescription medications are discovered, people have already suffered harm.
Dangerous drugs have the potential to cause serious injury or even death. If you have experienced health problems associated with your medication, a St. Louis dangerous drugs lawyer could assist you with your case. A skilled personal injury lawyer could answer any questions you may have and help you pursue a fair compensation.
Many drugs have the potential to cause danger, but some drugs are more frequently cited in lawsuits than others. Hormonal birth control, antidepressants, narcotics, and weight loss medications are some examples of drugs that are often deemed dangerous in lawsuits.
There are drug safety standards required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite these mandates, dangerous drugs can still make their way onto the market. Pressures from pharmaceutical companies, a lack of oversight, and other factors may contribute to the premature approval of a drug by the FDA.
Medical professionals rely on the information and research provided to them by pharmaceutical companies. As a result, many drugs that turn out to be harmful may be prescribed by doctors, and lawsuits are often pursued against pharmaceutical companies.
However, there are some instances where the prescriber of the drug may be liable for a drug's dangerous effects. This may occur because while the drug itself is not dangerous, it is dangerous to a patient because the doctor prescribed the wrong dosage or the wrong type. Medical professionals may sometimes prescribe drugs for "off label" uses, or to treat a condition for which the medication has not been approved by the FDA to treat.
Additional issues may arise when a physician prescribes a drug without knowing all of the medications a patient is taking or all of their existing medical conditions. Without this information, drugs may interact dangerously with other medications or medical conditions. Prescribers who fail to give proper instructions on how to take a drug may also cause a drug to become dangerous.
Too often, problems with drugs are not discovered until they have been used by many people. Big pharmaceutical companies generally try to make as much money as they can, as quickly as possible. Pressures to get new drugs to market can cause incomplete testing and rushed manufacturing or development.
When problems are not seen until after a drug is made available to the public, they may be recalled once the danger is discovered. Although a drug recall is an attempt to correct an error, it is often too late to reverse the damage that has already been done.
If you or a loved one was harmed by a dangerous drug or a negligently prescribed drug, you should not have to suffer the consequences alone. A St. Louis dangerous drugs lawyer could help get you compensation for your injuries. To learn more about pursuing a claim for compensation, call today to schedule a free consultation.