September 16, 2008
The FDA reported that Genentec issued a warning to health care professionals regarding prescribing information for Rituxan, which was linked in a clinical study to the death of a patient who sustained drug injuries as a result of taking the drug.
The drug injury victim, who had rheumatoid arthritis and was taking Rituxan, became infected with a JC virus which led to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
The drug injury victim died as a result of PML 18 months after last taking Rituxan.
This drug injury case led Genentec to issue a warning.
Texas patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are taking Rituxan could be at risk for Texas drug injuries.