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Drug Side Effect Lawsuits Prompted by Suppressed Research

January 5, 2011 — A series of reports published in the British Medical Journal and reported by MedPage Today have raised awareness about the issue of drug research being routinely suppressed — including federally funded research. Some examples are Vytorin, Multaq, Avandia, and Medtronic’s bone-graft stimulating product, Infuse, which have prompted thousands of drug side effect lawsuits. The journal suggests one solution would be to subject researchers who withhold data to disciplinary action from professional organizations.

The journal report found that less than half of the clinical trials funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) were published in a medical journal within 30 months of completion. After 51 months, one-third had yet to be published.

In addition, the journal found that only 22% of studies of drugs that had received Food and Drug Administration approval had reported their results. This is surprising, because the law requires that studies of FDA-approved drugs be published within one year.

If you have experienced a severe side effect after taking a drug, you may have a drug side effect lawsuit. Contact a lawyer at The Schmidt Firm, PLLC for a lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Why are the results of these studies not being published?

Some possible reasons include:

  • Industry-related profit motives. The drug companies that create, manufacture, and distribute the drug do not want negative research information to reach consumers and harm profits.
  • Researchers get an unexpected finding that contradicts their academic beliefs.
  • Medical journals may be reluctant to publish negative findings.

The problem with the suppression of research data is that it can potentially harm patients. Over the last few years, there has been a series of scandals, prompting multiple drug side effect lawsuits from consumers who have been injured.

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting drug side effect lawsuits regarding the following drugs. Important safety research has been suppressed on all of these drugs. If you have experienced a severe side effect while taking any of these drugs, you may be entitled to compensation.

Vytorin: This is a cholesterol drug made by Schering-Plough. Although a clinical trial had found that the drug did not improve artery health, the company did not allow the results of the clinical trial to go public. While the company waited to publish the data, it invested in a massive TV advertising campaign. In 2008, a congressional investigation was launched and revealed the scandal.

Multaq: This is a drug prescribed to treat irregular heartbeat, also known as “atrial fibrillation.” In a 2003 study that compared Multaq to a placebo, the study found that more people who received Multaq died while taking the drug. However, the results of the study were not published for five more years. During this time, Multaq became one of the most popular anti-arrhythmia drugs. Further studies found that Multaq increased a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, acute liver failure, heart failure, and death.

Avandia: This medication, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is used to treat Type-2 diabetes. A study in 2007 found that the drug increased a person’s risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular deaths. Of the 42 studies of Avandia, 35 were never published. The results of the studies were not made public until a court order forced GlaxoSmithKline to reveal the data.

Medtronic Infuse Bone-Graft: This is a bone-growth stimulating product intended for use in people who have had back surgery. Though a clinical trial of Infuse had to be suddenly halted because volunteers experienced bone overgrowth, the results of the study were not published for five more years. Medtronic paid the surgeons in the study millions of dollars in royalties.

How do I contact a Lawyer for a Drug Side Effect Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting pharmaceutical drug induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has experienced a side effect after taking a pharmaceutical medication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Drug Side Effect Lawsuit Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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