Patients tend to trust that the drugs they need to take for their health issues have been through proper quality control procedures and are safe for use. A recent recall of a popular at home dialysis drug has patients across the country, including some in Ohio, questioning the liability of the manufacturer. In cases where an injury resulted from using this apparently tainted drug, pharmaceutical litigation may follow.
The makers of an at home dialysis treatment, NxStage, has recently announced a voluntary recall of certain units of their dialysis fluid due to a problem with the formation of the drug. According the NxStage, approximately 150,000 units of the drug in question have been recalled. Manufactured dates on the affected medications range from April 2013 through February 2014.
It is believed that the units affected by this recall contain a higher amount of aluminum than is allowed per normal standards. Patients exposed to excessive amounts of aluminum may face serious side effects, including anemia, bone disease and memory loss. Patients on dialysis, who already have low functioning kidneys, are at an increased risk of experiencing these symptoms as their bodies aren’t able to expel the excess toxins.
Currently, NxStage claims that they haven’t had any legal complaints brought against the company over this recall. However, the number of patients who have had access to this arguably tainted treatment is still unknown. Patient in Ohio who have been exposed to the affected dialysis fluid and have experienced adverse side effects may be able to pursue pharmaceutical litigation claims against the drug manufacturer.
Source: Boston Globe, “Patients upset after tainted dialysis fluid prompts recall”, Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, June 12, 2014
