Do you take generic medications? Chances are that you are taking these generic drugs, because your insurance company does not want to pay for name brand medications. Further, the cost difference could be pushing you toward generic medications. In fact, eight out of nine prescriptions written in the United States are for generic drugs.
Are your medications generic drugs?
When we receive prescription medication from our pharmacist or your mail order service, you probably read the information about side effects and incompatible medications. But are you getting the whole story about those drugs? Maybe not.
The truth is that all side effects of generic drugs might not be listed. The issue is not with the generic drug manufacturer in most cases. Regulations permit name brand medications to update side effects and other potential problems as often as it becomes necessary. The side effects of generic drugs cannot be updated until the update has been made by the name brand drug. This law may put you or a loved one in danger.
What difference does it make? You might be taking a generic drug that has potentially harmful side effects. The generic drug might not mix with other medications you are taking. That information might not be listed for the generic drug. Without the information, you are at risk when you take the medication.
This sounds dangerous, and it may be. Changes to this Federal law have been proposed, but they have not been approved by Congress. Some manufacturers of generic drugs do not want the law to change. The requirement not to list these side effects shields generic drug manufacturers from a number of potential lawsuits. Further, the cost of complying with new disclosure requirements would be costly.
A proposal has been made to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would require that agency to ensure that when label changes are necessary, the label changes also would be made by generic drug manufacturers. However, this could become overwhelming for the FDA. Congress seems to be unwilling to take action to protect the public.
If you, or a loved one, are injured by a generic drug that did not list all side effects or did not list possible drug interactions, you have the right to file a suit against those deemed responsible for the injury sustained.
If you or a loved one is harmed by taking a generic drug, we encourage you to call Altizer Law, P.C. We will be happy to answer your questions and to help you evaluate the merits of possible legal action.
