Pittsburgh Lawyers for Dangerous and Defective Drugs

Call Our Compassionate Attorneys if Your Medication Has Caused Illness or Extreme Side Effects

The prescription drug industry has an interest in getting a drug to market as quickly as possible to beat the competition. Creating new medications takes tens or even hundreds of millions and being the first to get a patent or copyright can be essential to turning a profit.

In their rush to be the first, these companies often let consumer safety fall by the wayside. Rare but serious side effects and drug interactions can cause permanent or even fatal injury to patients. Pharmaceutical companies already make billions off our health issues.

They have no excuse for skipping the intensive testing that keeps consumers safe from further harm.

When their negligence hurts people like you, our attorneys are here to help. Our Pittsburgh defective drug lawyers at Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. stand up to big companies that release harmful products on the market. We’ve represented clients in Pennsylvania and around the nation.

Call our team today at (844) 383-0565 for a free consultation.

How Do Defective Drugs Make it to Market?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all new medications before they hit the market. Consumers assume a drug that can be found on shelves or in a pharmacy must be safe for this reason. However, there are many ways dangerous medications can make it into our homes.

First, the clinical tests for drugs are held by the companies that manufacture them. With an obvious incentive to show their drug’s effectiveness, pharmaceutical corporations often design studies that are neither long enough, scientifically rigorous, nor representative of the drug’s actual target population. They have full freedom to create tests that make their products look effective and safe regardless of their actual value.

Second, after completing these studies, companies choose what results to present to the FDA. They may willfully conceal information that makes their drug look bad so the product is approved. Each application for a new drug includes a hefty fee for the FDA, meaning the pharmaceutical industry is effectively funding the approvals team. No matter how unbiased they try to be, even the best-intentioned reviewers might be affected by this cash flow.

Third, the FDA has little control over drugs once they are released. Based on research gaps they noticed during the approvals process, they may request further studies after the drug is launched, but the manufacturer doesn’t have to comply. This is also the case with recalls. Though the FDA may identify a specific danger linked to a drug, all they can do is request the company warn consumers and pull the product from shelves. They cannot actually enforce the process. This gap in their authority means drug companies can choose to keep a medication on the market even if they know it’s dangerous, just because they want to keep making money from it.

We Handle a Wide Range of Claims Involving Defective Prescription Drugs

We have represented hundreds of injured patients in individual and class action lawsuits against negligent pharmaceutical companies. Our team is committed to staying at the forefront of prescription drug litigation and we use our knowledge, resources, and experience to be effective in highly complex litigation involving medications:

• For diabetes patients
• To manage heartburn
• For chemotherapy
• To manage mental health
• For HIV prevention and treatment
• That prevents blood clots

Have you suffered unexpected and serious side effects after starting a new medication? We are here to listen to your story.

Frequent Questions About Prescription Drug Claims

Can You Sue a Drug Company for Side Effects?

Almost all drugs have side effects, and most have some rare but serious dangers that can cause death. However, if a company clearly warns about these risks and accurately states their frequency, you are unlikely to be able to file a lawsuit. If they understate either the dangers involved in taking the drug or the frequency of their appearance, on the other hand, you may have a case. The same goes for any side effects that can be definitively linked to a medication and were not warned for.

What Should I Do if a Drug I Used Was Recalled?

If you are still using a drug when it is recalled, you should follow the manufacturer’s directions and speak with your doctor, both about alternative medication options and about any ill effects you may have already suffered. If you have stopped using a drug before its recall, it’s a good idea to learn more about the dangers that prompted the move so you can determine if you are experiencing any symptoms that might be related. If your doctor diagnoses a connected condition, an attorney can help you understand your legal options.

Why Does the FDA Approve Dangerous Drugs?

The FDA’s process is not infallible, and though the agency does not allow dangerous drugs on the market on purpose, there are many ways in which pharmaceutical companies can take advantage of the process. If you’re frustrated about a defective drug you were prescribed or recommended, it’s likely the manufacturer purposely designed its tests to return favorable data and/or hid negative patient outcomes.

Get the Legal Support You Need

If you have suffered an illness or become disabled as a result of side effects from a dangerous prescription drug, we can help you file a legal claim to hold the manufacturer responsible. These are complex cases that demand the attention and support of trusted and experienced prescription drug claim lawyers. Let us put more than 40 years of proven practice behind your case.

Call (844) 383-0565 or contact our Pittsburgh prescription drug claim attorneys online to schedule your free initial consultation.