The Anosmia Foundation states, “Approximately two to five million American adults suffer from disorders of taste and smell. Anosmia is to smell, as blindness is to sight, or deafness is to hearing. Anosmics cannot detect scents of any kind. Over 200 medical conditions and many medications have been associated with olfactory changes and loss.”
Breaking News June 25, 2009 – Zicam® Recall: SEC & FDA Investigates Matrixx
What is Anosmia?
Anosmia is defined as the lack of functioning olfaction, or in other words, the inability to perceive smells. Some forms of Anosmia can be temporary and others may be permanent. Some people may be anosmic to one particular odor while others will not be able to smell anything.
Living with Anosmia can be very difficult. For non-anosmiacs, imagine loosing your sense of smell … food would not be flavorful and would become less appetizing, you would immediately be subjected to unwarranted danger by not being able to smell gas leaks, fire, spoiled food, etc. It has been reported that the loss of olfaction may lead to the loss of libido or sexual drive. Anosmia can also cause depression in certain patients diagnosed. And if that wasn’t enough, many patients report that people seem to view the loss of smell as trivial. This unfortunate view of Anosmia can make it difficult to get the same level of healthcare as somebody that has lost another sense, such as sight and/or hearing.
Anosmia Linked to the Use of Recalled Zicam Products
On June 16, 2009, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers regarding the loss of smell related to Zicam products. The warning was based upon 130 consumer complaints made to the FDA wherein people complained about the loss of smell of subsequent diagnosis of Anosmia. Since that time, the manufacturer of Zicam has recalled three (3) Zicam nasal spray and gel products.
Zicam Recall List – the products that were recalled are as follows: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product).
On June 19, 2009 Bloomberg reported that during a routine inspection, the FDA uncovered 800 consumer complaints that Matrixx (the manufacturer of Zicam) never turned over. The company has stated in part, “We have complaints but we weren’t required to send them … At least we didn’t believe we were required to send them …”
Do I Have an Anosmia Loss of Smell Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Zicam induced Anosmia and loss of smell claims in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has taken Zicam and suffered from the loss of sense of smell, or Anosmia, you should contact our firm immediately for a free case consultation. Please click here to contact our Dangerous Drug Litigation Group, use the form below or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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