Alabama Product Injury Lawyer Blog

The New York Times recently reported about the ties between radio host Dr. Frederick K. Goodwin, host of an independent program called "The Infinite Mind" which airs on over 300 NPR stations, and several Big Pharma companies, some who manufacture and distribute anti-depressant medications (SSRI's). The Times reports that between 2000 and 2007 Dr. Goodwin received at least $1.3 million for marketing lectures he gave for several drug manufacturers. This income has not been previously disclosed on the program.

In March of this year, Dr. Goodwin had a show in which he took the position that there was no credible scientific evidence linking anti-depressants and violent or suicidal behavior. The Times reports that that same week Dr. Goodwin earned approximately $20,000 lecturing on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline who manufacturers Paxil, an SSRI. GlaxoSmithKline, the Times indicates, has suppressed studies for years that indicate that Paxil increased suicidal behavior and ideation.

One of my favorite blogs addressing the pharmaceutical industry, Pharmalot, has several posts here and here addressing this issue. NPR has indicated they will be removing the show from its satellite service within the next week. The bottom line of all this investigation and disclosure is that the pharmaceutical industry has attempted to push its agenda behind the scenes in so many ways from influencing our Drs. and pharamcists, our legislators, and now the airwaves of National Public Radio, one of the most respected news outlets for "unbiased" reporting. We have a serious problem when Drs. holding themselves out to the public as experts do not fully disclose their conflicts of interest. Clearly, being paid over $1 million has some influence on your perspective of issues which you are directly addressing and discussing and the public is entitled to full disclosure of those potential interests so it can judge for itself what effects such influences may have on the positions you take. As Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is reported to have said, “We know the drug companies are throwing huge amounts of money at medical researchers, and there’s no clear-cut way to know how much and exactly where, Now it looks like the same thing is happening in journalism.”

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Posted In: Pharmaceutical Companies , Recommended Websites/Blogs , SSRI/Anti-Depressants

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Over the past week there have been several significant recalls. Let's jump right on into it.

1. Topical Acne Cream: A voluntary recall has been issued for all 1 ounce tubes of 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cream sold under the following names: DG Maximum Strength Acne Medicated Gel (sold at Dollar General), Kroger Acne Gel 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medication (sold at Kroger) and Equate: Medicated Acne Gel (sold at Wal-Mart). It is being recalled because some samples of the product have been found to have a bacteria growing in them. Although the manufacturer CSI USA, Inc. has concluded the risk of illness is low, there is an increased risk of infections for individuals with cuts, scrapes or other compromised skin conditions or those with weakened immune systems. Obviously, those using this cream for acne would have a "compromised skin condition." You should stop using the product immediately and you can get a full refund by mailing the tube or proof of purchase to CSI USA, Inc, 170 Commerce Way, Gallatin, TN 37066, Attn: ACNE CREAM RECALL. For more information, see here.

2. GE Profile Monogram and Kenmore Wall Ovens: GE is recalling about 244,000 GE Profile Monogram and Kenmore Wall Ovens because extreme heat can escape during the self-clean cycle if the wall oven door is removed and incorrectly re-attached by the consumer or installer. This can create a fire and burn hazard to consumers. The wall ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The affected ovens were sold to homebuilders between October 2002 and December 2004 for between $900 and $3600. For information regarding the models involved in this recall and photos of the ovens, see here. There is a test you can do to see if the oven door is attached properly which is shown at this site. If the door is incorrectly attached, do not use the self-clean feature and GE for a free repair. You can continue to use the normal baking and broiling function (i.e. no problem for cooking that Thanksgiving turkey...whew.) Consumer Reports addressed this recall here.

3. Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops: Although it has been awhile since I had a small child, I can still remember being told that my younger son suffered from "colic" i.e. he was always miserable and we really don't know why. In fact, my wife swears that when she discussed the issue with our then pediatrician after my son was one month old, the pediatrician told her "to put him in a closet till he's 4 months old and then take him out and he will be fine." Great solution. One thing we did use on a regular basis to try and help the situation was Mylicon drops. Well just last week a voluntary recall of about 12,000 units of Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free drops sold in 1 oz. plastic bottles distributed after October 5th of this year was issued. Some bottles could have metal fragments in them generated during the producing of the drops. If you have given this drops to your infant and are concerned, you are instructed to take your child to your health care provider immediately. To see a description of the specific lots involved in this recall, see the FDA's website and Consumer Reports discussion of this recall. If you have one of the recalled bottles, you should immediately stop using them and call the company at 1-800-222-9435 or see their website at www.mylicon.com regarding how to dispose of the product and get replacement or refund. As an aside, if your child has been given Mylicon out of one of these bottles, I would take him to see your doctor and DO NOT dispose of the bottle until you confirm nothing is wrong with the child as a result. Should a problem have occurred as a result of having one of these bottles, you will need to keep the bottle and the medicine in it as potential evidence. In fact, it is your best evidence and should not be discarded and even given to the manufacturer. If you need some advice on this issue, feel free to contact me using the contact form or calling me. Please note the recall DOES NOT include Original Mylicon Gas Relief or the Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free 1/2 oz. size.

4. Roman Blinds sold at IKEA: Just today a recall has been announced for IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds sold at IKEA Home Furnishings. Approximately 670,000 of these blinds have been sold. Back in April of this year, a 1 year old girl became entangled in the inner cord and strangled. (Question: Why did it take over 6 months to announce the recall???) The recall includes all sizes of these blinds and they are white. At the top edge of the blind, there is a sewn in label with the IKEA logo, and a 5 digit number, either 19799 or 21369. These blinds were sold from July 2005 though June 2008. You should immediately stop using these blinds and return them to IKEA for a full refund. For more information see the CPSC's website or IKEA's website.

That's it for this week of recalls. Be careful out there. And if you need any help or advice regarding an injury due to a product, please contact me.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: FDA Recalls , Recalls , Recalls of the Week

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Fortunately, not alot of significant recalls this week. Maybe its the post-election hangover or the gear up for the holidays. Here is a couple recalls of note:

1. Claire's Recalls Children's Metal Necklaces: Claire's Boutiques is recalling their "Best Friends Yin Yang Necklace Sets" because the necklaces contain high levels of lead. About 67,000 of these necklaces have been sold. It is a set of two necklaces that have silver colored metal bead type chain. See here for a picture of the chains. If you have one or both of these necklaces, you should immediately take away from any children and return to Claire's for a full refund.

2. Ethex Corporation Recalls Five Generic Drugs Due to Potential for Oversized Tablets: There has been several problems lately with drug manufacturers distributing pills that are double the size they are suppose to be, leading to a patient taking more of the medication than they should. Digitek has been one such drug which was recalled earlier this year for this problem and which i wrote about here and here. Now Ethex Corporation is voluntarily recalling several of the generic medications it distributes because of a concern they are oversized and contain more of the active ingredient than intended. The drugs include Propafenone, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Morphine Sulfate, Dextroamphetamine. Overdoses of these drugs can cause serious complications including irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing or rapid heart beat. For a detailed description of this recall and the drugs involved, see here. The lots of these drugs were shipped before May 22, 2008. If you take one of these drugs, call your physician, pharmacist or other health care provider immediately. If you think you have had any adverse reactions as a result of taking one of these problematic drugs, contact the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Well believe it or not, that's all we have this week of interest. Please contact me should you have any questions or concerns regarding these recalls or any other issues relating to injuries caused by products. Until next week, be careful out there.

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Today the FDA issued a recall of Insulin syringes referred to as ReliOn. These are single-use, disposable, hypodermic syringes used by patients with insulin dependent diabetes. The syringe is mislabeled and may result in the patient overdosing by as much as 2.5 times the intended dose. This can lead to serious health consequences, including death. The syringes were sold by Wal-Mart and Sam's Club pharmacies. The recall only applies to lot number 813900. The product was distributed from August through October 8th of this year. You should check your syringe packaging carefully and do not use this product and return to the pharmacy for a replacement. For more information regarding this recall, see here.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

Posted In: FDA Recalls , Medical Devices

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Its the dawn of a new day. Like everyone else, I have been caught up in the presidential election hoopla. I honestly believe our country has turned a significant corner and the opportunity to "build a more perfect union" is upon us. But we cannot expect government to give us all the answers. It is our responsibility as citizens of this great nation to participate in this process. Not by sitting on the sidelines and taking pop-shots at those in office, but really participating in the governing process. If this election has shown us anything, its that we can make a difference and change the direction and course of our country, if we just participate.

Enough of my political moment, here is some information on the latest significant recalls of products:

1. Laptop Batteries Causing Fire: The lithium-ion batteries used in HP, Toshiba and Dell Notebooks pose a potential for fire and burning. There have been 19 reports of the batteries overheating, including 17 reports of flames/fire. The majority of these batteries were sold with HP laptops (about 32,000 of the total of 35,000 defective ones out there). For a listing of the models of laptops involved see here. On the HPs, the recalled batteries will have a bar code label starting with A0, L0, L1 or GC. The batteries were sold both with the laptops and separately. For HPs, the batteries were sold between December 2004 and June 2006; for Toshiba, April 2005 and October 2005, and for Dell they were shipped between November 2004 and November 2005. If you have one of these batteries, you are instructed to immediately remove it from the notebook and contact your computer manufacturer. If you have one of the recalled batteries, you will receive a free replacement. Consumer Reports also has a story about this recall here.

2. Krylon "Outdoor Spaces" UV Fabric Protector: Sherwin-Williams is recalling the Krylon "Outdoor Spaces" UV Fabric Protector because overexposure to fumes, vapors or the spray mist can cause serious respiratory and breathing problems. This is an aerosol coating used to protect fabric. It has been sold at Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware and other retail stores between January 2006 and September 2008. If you have this product, stop using it and return it to the place you purchased it from for a full refund. For more information on this recall, see here.

3. Firestone Tires: Bridgestone/Firestone is recalling over 135,000 Firestone FR380 tires, size P235/75R15 manufactured between June 4, 2006 and September 8, 2007, as well as almost 27,000 LEMANS Champion SE Tires of the same size due to being produced with insufficient tread base gauge. If you continue to use these tires, it can lead to vibration and groove cracking and may ultimately lead to tread separation which is very dangerous. Bridgestone will be letting owners know that the affected tires can be replaced free of charge and the replacement tires will be mounted and balanced free of charge. For more information regarding this recall and who to contact with questions, see here.

4. Cybex Treadmills: Being a fitness enthusiast myself (and yes I HATE treadmills....or should i say running in general) I thought I would pass this recall along. Cybex is recalling about 20,000 treadmills because the treadmills can speed up unexpectedly, posing a potential for users to fall. Yeah, like if the treadmill suddenly jumped up to 10mph i know I'd go flying off the treadmill and it would not be pretty. The recall only involves the 115V treadmills and not the 220V treadmills. For the models involved, see here. These treadmills were sold by Cybex and Cybex dealers between January 2001 and September 2008. If you have one of these treadmills, unplug it and stop using it immediately. Contact Cybex to obtain a free replacement fuse and if you ask, they will send a tech out to install it.

5. Serta Zipper-Covered Foam Core Mattresses: Over 6,000 Serta Zipper-Covered Foam Core Mattresses are being recalled because the mattresses fail to meet the federal open flame standard for mattresses and therefore pose a risk of fire to the consumer. The mattresses were sold in twin, full, queen, king and California king sizes. They were manufactured between November 30, 2007 and May 20, 2008. For information regarding models involved, see here. If you have one of these mattresses, you should contact Serta immediately and if your mattress is included in the recall, a free replacement mattress cover will be provided.

That's it for this week. Please stay safe and remember to be careful out there.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

Posted In: Recalls of the Week

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