In most years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves dozens of new medications to treat a variety of illnesses and health problems.
And while all of those medications are subject to testing and approval processes, they’re not always safe for patients to take—but that fact may not be discovered until a medication has been on pharmacy shelves for weeks, months, or even years.
Drug injuries are often separate from known side effects, as drug companies required to plainly list all side effects that they’re aware of from clinical trials and other tests. But in some cases, drug companies are aware of more serious medication-related complications, but they withhold that information in order to get their drugs approved by the FDA and released for usage by the general public.
If you were recently prescribed a newly released medication, you can protect yourself by:
- Checking the FDA’s database of drug recalls—Doctors aren’t always aware of when drugs are recalled, and some recalled medications remain on pharmacy shelves for long periods of time. The FDA’s database can help you determine if your medication was recalled.
- Discussing any health conditions or changes you experience with your doctor—It’s important to stay in frequent contact with your doctor, as he or she may be able to diagnosis a drug injury before it becomes life-threatening or disabling.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel, our drug injury lawyers are here to help anyone who was hurt by a prescription medication. Don’t suffer alone because of a drug company’s negligence. Call us today for a free consultation.