CONSUMER ALERT: DANGEROUS PRODUCTS or PRACTICES

Technology has made it possible to store and transfer huge amounts of data in the blink of an eye -- including CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL RECORDS. If not properly stored and handled, unauthorized access to confidential medical information can easily occur over the Internet or by the careless transfer of patient data. Experts contend that MEDICAL PRIVACY BREACHES of confidential medical databanks are increasing at an alarming rate. Both California and federal law impose strict penalties for the improper handling of confidential medical records, even if it is "accidental."

If you, or a loved one, either suspects or becomes aware that your CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL INFORMATION has been improperly handled or released, contact the MARCARIAN LAW FIRM for a no-cost evaluation of your situation.

If you, or a loved one, has been injured by a gastric band (sometimes known as a LAP BAND) procedure, contact the MARCARIAN LAW FIRM for a no-cost evaluation of your situation.

If you, or a loved one, has developed bladder cancer and that individual was taking ACTOS (a type 2 diabetes medication), then you may have a claim against the manufacturer of ACTOS.

On June 15, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public that “use of the diabetes medication Actos (pioglitazone) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer”.

If you or someone you know has developed bladder cancer and has been taking ACTOS (pioglitazone), contact the MARCARIAN LAW FIRM for a no-cost evaluation of your condition.

On October 8, 2010, pharmaceutical giant Abbott Laboratories voluntarily agreed to pull its obesity drug MERIDIA from the U.S. market because of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. "FDA requested this withdrawal after concluding that the continued availability of this product is not justified since patients taking the drug are at an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke," Dr. John Jenkins, director of the Office of New Drugs in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during an afternoon news conference.

"Physicians are advised to stop prescribing Meridia to their patients, pharmacists are advised to stop dispensing Meridia, and patients are advised to stop taking this drug and dispose of any remaining product," Jenkins said.

If you or someone you know has been injured by Abbott's MERIDIA, contact the MARCARIAN LAW FIRM for a no-cost evaluation of your condition.

On March 3, 2010, Baxter International Inc. announced a recall of its in-home dialysis device that has been linked to serious injury reports and at least one death in the last two years.   The Food and Drug Administration has classified the action as a Class I recall, the agency's most serious, for Baxter's HomeChoice and HomeChoice PRO peritoneal dialysis cyclers, because the device is causing an "'overfill' of fluid in the patient's stomach."   A Class I recall classification applies to problems that can cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.”   Meanwhile, Baxter said it is "still investigating the source of the problems and is working on changes to labeling and software to prevent patient errors."

If you or someone you know has been injured by Baxter’s in-home dialysis machines, contact the MARCARIAN LAW FIRM for a no-cost evaluation of your condition.

If you or a loved one has recently received heparin, an injectable blood thinning medication, and is exhibiting problems ranging from dizziness and fainting to racing heart beat, you may contact our office for a free consultation.

In January 2008, Baxter Healthcare Corp., a Deerfield, Ill.-based company voluntarily recalled nine lots of the vials after finding out dialysis patients had allergic reactions to the drug. Baxter recently announced it would stop manufacturing multiple-dose vials of its blood thinning medication and further indicated that the problems were not limited to the nine lots in the recall.

Kidney-failure patients receive heparin to prevent clotting of blood during the dialysis process. The drug is also used in certain types of heart surgery.

FDA said nearly all the reported problems have been in dialysis patients who received high doses of heparin over a short time. Agency scientists said doctors who continue to use the drug should use the lowest doses possible and administer it slowly.

Government inspectors are examining Baxter's manufacturing sites to locate the source of the problems, FDA said. Baxter has agreed to cooperate with the investigation. According to a Baxter spokeswoman, Erin Gardiner, Baxter’s testing found “trace differences” in some lots of the blood thinner heparin, including quantities in which the active ingredient came from a supplier’s plant in China. FDA officials considered a recall, but said they decided not to because it would create a dangerous shortage of the drug. Baxter accounts for about half the U.S. supply for the blood-thinning medicine. Instead, the FDA warned doctors to use it with "caution when medically necessary."