Recalls of nearly 200 million well-known over-the-counter medicines produced by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) have tarnished the company's image, cut into product sales, and cast a shadow over longtime J&J Chief Executive Officer Bill Weldon, who will appear before a congressional committee for the first time this week. Weldon reportedly has been recovering from back surgery and has yet to address the committee about the massive recalls on J&J medicines, such as Tylenol and Motrin for both adults and children due to contamination and substandard quality.
Advil Allergy Sinus, Aleve and Children's Advil Cold products have updated information on the "warnings" sections of their safety labels that inform users that the over-the-counter drugs carry a risk of stomach bleeding, according to an announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Stomach bleeding is not an uncommon side effect of nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NASAIDs); however, a new study shows that the medicines may also cause other serious medical problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Certain Similac-brand infant formulas are being recalled because the powder may contain beetles or their larvae, which can upset tiny tummies if the small insect parts are consumed. Abbott, the formula's manufacturer, says the possibility that the products contain the small, common beetle is remote, but they are recalling numerous lots of the baby formula as a precaution.
On its popular Today Show program, NBC News announced this morning that it has uncovered internal documents from drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson that prove the company knew the Ortho Evra birth control patch was dangerous. According to the documents, NBC reports that Johnson & Johnson knew the Ortho Evra patch was 12 times more likely to cause strokes and 18 times more likely to cause blood clots than traditional birth control pills.
Nearly 25,000 units of BagEasy Manual Resuscitation Devices are being recalled by the manufacturer, Westmed, Inc., because of a defect that could render the devices inoperable and potentially result in a delay of treatment in patients. The recall is categorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Class 1, a classification set aside for dangerous or defective products that have a strong probability of causing serious health problems or death.
After five long months fraught with anxiety and stress, Gulf Coast residents finally heard some uplifting news: the blown-out well that threatens to destroy their health, businesses, way of life, and communities with massive clumps of sticky oil has been permanently sealed. But as BP's stocks rise and the rest of the world starts to look beyond the environmental disaster, residents of coastal Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi will be left dealing with the spill's aftermath for years to come.
It used to be that the average patient for a hip replacement surgery was between 65 and 80 years old. The surgery, first performed in 1960, is a major undertaking, involving one of the body's larges weight-bearing joints. However, advances in technology and surgical techniques, combined with today's expectations about continuing strenuous or challenging physical activities later in life have contributed to a growing population of younger patients.
In this video, Beasley Allen shareholder Gibson Vance, who is currently serving as President of the American Association for Justice, discusses legal issues surrounding the BP oil spill, including legislation currently in Congress, and how those on the Gulf Coast will seek recourse for the damage.
Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 Best Law Firms ranking. This is the inaugural publication of this highly anticipated national analysis, which will be compiled annually by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers. Beasley Allen was given a Metropolitan First-Tier ranking in the areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Beasley Allen also received a Metropolitan Tier 2 ranking for Health Care Law in Montgomery. Rankings will be featured in the October print issue of U.S. News & World Report.
Think generic medications are just the same as their brand name equivalents? Think again. Generics may be less expensive - a benefit for insurance providers as well as consumers - but for some, that savings may come at a price.
