Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Division to End Sales of Gynecare Prolift, Three Other Transvaginal Mesh Devices
Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Inc. division revealed yesterday that it will end sales of its Gynecare Prolift device and three other transvaginal mesh products. The plan to stop selling the four products was set forth in a letter filed by the company in the Ethicon transvaginal mesh multidistrict litigation ...
Bisphosphonate Study Confirms Atypical Thigh Fracture Risk
New research has confirmed the link between bisphoshonates, such as Fosamax, and atypical femur fractures, a type of thigh fracture that occurs spontaneously, without any major leg injury. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, also found that the risk of atypical thigh fractures increases the longer a ...
Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Concerns Grow in Canada
Canadian patients and doctors are voicing more concerns about metal-on-metal hip replacements, as health regulators around the world continue to investigate the safety of the devices. According to a report from the CBC, four companies have recently either recalled or suspended sales of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices, while a number ...
Medtronic Infuse Studies Faulted for Downplaying Side Effects
Medtronic Inc.’s published studies for its Infuse bone graft product may have downplayed serious side effects, according to an analysis published last year in The Spine Journal. The study, which drew on U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) documents and other data sources, suggests that up to half of ...
Actos, Avandia May Up Risk for Diabetic Macular Edema
A West Virginia man fitted with a metal-on-metal version of DePuy Orthopaedics’ Pinnacle Hip Implant System has filed suit against the company and its parent, Johnson & Johnson, alleging the device caused him to suffer pain and elevated cobalt levels. The Plaintiff is being represented by the national law ...
Canadian Study Confirms Actos Bladder Cancer Risk
A new study conducted by Canadian researchers has found that users of the type 2 diabetes drug, Actos (pioglitazone), may face a higher risk of developing bladder cancer than first thought. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that taking Actos for two years doubles the likelihood ...
Study Finds Plavix May Only Benefit Smokers
An emerging study finds that blood thinner Plavix may only benefit smokers. Plavix (clopidogrel) is prescribed for the prevention of blood clots and heart attacks, and has been linked to serious side effects, including the heart attacks and strokes it is supposed to prevent, gastrointestinal and cerebral bleeding, bleeding ulcers, ...
Another Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit Filed in DePuy ASR Hip Implant Litigation
A vital food safety program was saved from budget cuts this week, enabling the country’s largest—although considered by experts to be far too small—produce-safety testing program to continue.
Tennessee Resident Files Pradaxa Bleeding Lawsuit Following Cerebral Hemorrhage
A man from Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the maker of Pradaxa, claiming that the blood thinner caused him to suffer a cerebral hemorrhage. The complaint alleges Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. concealed knowledge that Pradaxa can cause Serious, life-threatening bleeds, and did not warn that Pradaxa bleeding side effects ...
Federal Judge Certifies Medtronic Infuse Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit
A shareholder lawsuit alleging Medtronic Inc. illegally promoted the off-label use of its Infuse bone growth product has been granted class action status by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson of Minnesota. According to a report from Law360.com, the Medtronic Infuse off-label promotion lawsuit was filed by several institutional investors on ...Experimental Sleep Drug, Suvorexant, Raises FDA Concerns
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that experimental insomnia drug, suvorexant, manufactured by Merck & Co. Inc., may be associated with dangerous side effects.
The experimental insomnia medication was found to be effective at helping patients sleep; however, suvorexant was found to have some significant side effects, such as daytime drowsiness and suicidal ideation, the agency’s advisory committee warned, according to CBS/The Associated Press (CBS/AP). The FDA released a review of suvorexant this week, in advance of today’s public meeting. Continue reading
Hidden Camera Reveals Horrifying Abuse of Canadian Nursing Home Patient
Shocking video footage taken by hidden camera at an Ontario, Canada, nursing home shows an elderly woman being subjected to horrific abuse at the hands of nursing home employees.
Four employees at St Joseph’s at Fleming long-term care home have been suspended pending investigation, the (U.K.) Daily Mail reports, after a patient’s son documented repeated abuse with a hidden camera he placed in his mother’s room. The Ontario Ministry of Health is investigating the case. While Alan Cavell, CEO of St Joseph’s at Fleming, stopped short of calling the treatment seen on camera abuse, “I would think that most people would say that it was,” he told CTV News. Continue reading
Metal-on-Metal Hip Device Tissue Damage Appears Before Symptoms
Metal-on-metal hip implant devices can cause synovitis—inflammation of the joint lining—and this significant adverse side effect can appear long before patients experience symptoms, according to a new study.
The study also found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify synovitis, said researchers at the Hospital for Special Surgery, wrote Health Canal. The research appears in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. Continue reading
Man Alleges Taking Actos for Two Years Caused Bladder Cancer
A South Dakota man is the latest to bring a lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Type 2 diabetes drug, Actos (pioglitazone). The plaintiff alleges that taking Actos for two years caused him to develop bladder cancer.
Actos was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.
According to the complaint, the man began taking Actos in January 2009; he developed bladder cancer in May 2011, allegedly due to his having taken Actos. At the time of his diagnosis, he stopped taking the medication. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were aware that taking Actos could lead to an increased risk of bladder cancer, but failed to disclose this information to the man, his doctor, and consumers. The plaintiff is suing for extensive pain and suffering and severe emotional distress. Continue reading
Parker Waichman LLP Takes on Credit Card Companies, Fights for Small Business
National law firm, Parker Waichman LLP, and co-counsel just filed an objection to the passage of a proposed $7.25 billion settlement of a price-fixing case brought against Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. over credit card transaction fees. Co-counsel—both based in Little Rock, Arkansas—are Duncan Firm P.A. and Thrash Law Firm P.A.
The settlement has drawn criticism from trade associations and retailers that argue that the settlement grants credit card companies too much leeway to raise future rates, according to Bloomberg News. Continue reading
GranuFlo, NaturaLyte Maker Faces Center Closure Following Patient Deaths, Poor Infection Control Standards
A dialysis center owned by Fresenius Medical Care North America has shut down following infection-related deaths and hospitalizations.
The Bessemer Kidney Center is one of one dozen dialysis centers in Alabama that are owned by Fresenius Medical Care. This center was shut down earlier this month following two patient deaths and other patient hospitalizations that occurred over a matter of days, according to AL.com. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health are investigating. Continue reading
DEP Drilling Review Reveals Water Damage, Questionable Testing Methods
A recently released drilling review found water damage and questionable testing methods in many cases when oil and gas activity were involved.
State environmental regulators found, according to a Times-Tribune/The Sunday Times report, that between 2008 – 2012, oil and gas development activity harmed water supplies for some 161 Pennsylvania homes, farms, churches, and businesses based on nearly 1,000 determination letters and enforcement orders written by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials and obtained by the media outlet. Determination letters are sent to water supply owners who seek state inspections into whether or not oil and gas drilling activities polluted their well water or impacted the water flow to their wells, according to the Times-Tribune. Continue reading
Ohio Nursing Home Employee Charged with Patient Abuse
On May 13 a Montgomery County, Ohio, grand jury indicted a Dayton nursing home employee on a felony charge of patient abuse.
Norma Black, 70, is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on May 28. She is charged with hitting a patient at the Arbors at Dayton Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in Dayton, whiotv.com reports. According to the indictment, the abuse occurred in March 2012. Continue reading
Cell Phone Radiation Leads to New Concerns
While study results have been mixed over the issue of cell phones and the radiation they emit and the dangers they present, some credible experts are taking another look at the ubiquitous devices.
A nurse at the brain injury unit of a physical rehabilitation hospital told CBS58 News that in the past year she has seen more brain tumor injuries in younger patients. A Milwaukee attorney told CBS58 that his now-deceased friend “developed brain cancer on the side of his head where he typically used the cell phone.” Continue reading
Metro-North Connecticut Collision Leaves Dozens Injured, Some Critically
Dozens were injured following a derailment and crash involving two Metro-North Railroad trains near Fairfield, Connecticut during Friday’s rush hour.
So far, 60 people have been reported as injured and five of those injuries have been classified as critical, according to The New York Times. Since, the Northeast traffic corridor has been severely hampered, with Amtrak operations between New York and Boston suspended over the weekend. Continue reading
