The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves many new medications every year after reviewing safety information provided by the drug manufacturers. However, FDA approval doesn’t always mean drugs are safe to use.
Over time, new side effects and drug injuries may become known to the FDA. They can then issue recalls of potentially dangerous medications. It’s important to note that FDA recalls are almost always voluntary, and drug manufacturers don’t have to immediately comply. That means medications that may be linked to serious health problems can remain on pharmacy and hospital shelves for weeks, months, or even years.
If the FDA issues a recall of a medication you’re taking, you may be concerned about how your health will be affected and what your next steps should be. If that happens, there are a few steps you can take to protect your health and your rights:
- Call your doctor—Not all recalls are the same. For example, Class III FDA recalls involve errors like labeling issues or container defects that are unlikely to result in adverse health reactions. Your doctor can determine if the recall is serious enough to warrant you stopping your medication.
- Call a lawyer—If it turns out that your medication is subject to a more serious Class I recall, it’s important to get in touch with an experienced drug injury lawyer right away. The medication may have caused you to suffer serious health problems, and the sooner a legal advocate can begin preparing a claim on your behalf, the better your chances will be of obtaining maximum compensation.
Don’t be a victim of the drug manufacturer’s negligence. Call Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel today for a free consultation.