Checks and balances are important because they help prevent greed and corruption. When adequate controls are not in place, decisions can sometimes be made for the wrong reasons, such as profit over the well-being and safety of others.
We see that happen with pharmaceutical companies all too often. The recent Department of Justice ruling against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals in which they were ordered to pay $1.7 billion for fraud and abuse, is a case in point. In their pursuit of market domination and maximum profits these companies marketed several drugs for conditions that were not approved by the FDA. They also marketed them to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and the disabled, despite never having completed adequate safety research.
J&J and Janssen’s aggressive marketing of these drugs caused great suffering, and even disability and death. Court documents reveal that the companies suppressed or altered undesirable research findings about the side effects of these medications, and despite numerous FDA warnings to stop their unethical behavior, continued to push doctors to prescribe the drugs for off-label use.
We see a similar situation with the marketing of implantable mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse in women. Since mesh was approved and had been safely used to treat hernias, device manufacturers cut corners and did not adequately test the effects of mesh in the vagina, or how it might affect the nerves of the pelvis. Many women who received the mesh now suffer from debilitating pain, infection, and scarring. Court documents again reveal attempts by certain manufacturers to suppress findings that make them liable for marketing a product that is defective in this population.
Representation for your Injury
As a board certified physician, Dr. Greg Vigna is dedicated to protecting patients and helping them recover from illness and injury. As an attorney he is committed to ensuring that checks and balances are put into place, so drug and device manufacturers will have to take a responsible and ethical approach toward the patients they intend to treat. Contact our law office today for a free case evaluation and to speak with a medical professional compassionate to your pain suffering.
