November 3, 2017 — PharmaTech LLC has been hit with a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a 2 year-old girl who developed an infection after being given Diocto Liquid laxative.
The lawsuit was filed by the parents of Alivia Singleton, a girl who died on May 4, 2016 at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she was being given Dioctio Liquid manufactured by PharmaTech LLC for the treatment of constipation caused by some of her pain medications.
Alivia developed an infection in February 2016, but doctors did not know what was causing it. After she died, her mother learned that Diocto Liquid was recalled due to bacterial contamination.
She filed a lawsuit against PharmaTech LLC and Rugby Laboratories in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, alleging that Alivia died after contracting an infection with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia in a contaminated bottle of Diocto Liquid.
In June 2016, one month after Alivia died, the FDA issued an advisory to warn that Diocto Liquid stool softeners may be contaminated with B. cepacia. Liquid laxatives were linked to 63 confirmed cases of B. cepacia infections and 45 suspected cases in 12 states.
In July 2016, PharmaTech recalled all of its Diocto Liquid laxatives after the FDA confirmed that multiple unopened bottles were contaminated with the bacteria Burkohlderia cepacia.
On October 27, the FDA issued an update to report that — yet again — laboratory findings linked Rugby Diocto Liquid to B. cepacia:
“FDA testing has identified Burkholderia cepacia in several bottles of Rugby Diocto (docusate sodium) oral liquid from lot No. 20351701 manufactured by PharmaTech LLC, Davie, Florida.”
The FDA tests also found additional bacteria, yeast, and mold contaminants in the PharmaTech Diocto Liquid tested by FDA. PharmaTech sells liquid laxatives under a variety of brand-names, including Rugby, Leader, Major, Centurion, and Mid Valley.
The FDA reminded doctors and patients not to use any liquid products manufactured at PharmaTech’s facility in Davie, Florida. The company has vacated the building and disconnected their phone number.
Do I have a Diocto Liquid Laxative Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Diocto Liquid induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with an infection, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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