The New Jersey Supreme Court recently ordered that more than 300 lawsuits which accuse the drug Taxotere of causing significant side effects to be consolidated in a New Jersey class action lawsuit.
The drug has been manufactured, marketed and or distributed by Sanofi-Aventis U.S., Accord Healthcare, Sandoz, Hospira Worldwide, Pfizer, Actavis and Sun Pharmaceuticals.
Taxotere was first introduced in 1996 for the treatment of breast cancer. The drug warned that it could cause temporary hair loss in the individuals who took the drug, but that hair would grow back once the drug was no longer used. In 2015, the labeling on the drug was changed to include language that the use of the drug could cause permanent hair loss. However, the recently filed lawsuits allege that the drug manufactures knew that Taxotere could cause permanent hair loss long before the label was changed in 2015 and they failed to warn of this side effect. Lawyers have pointed to studies which took place in 1999 and 2003 which showed that about 9 percent of patients in a trial suffered hair loss of 10 years or longer after taking the drug. Additionally, a 2006 study from a Denver Oncologist is alleged to show that the drug caused poor hair regrowth in about 5 percent of the individuals who were taking the drug. Other instances of hair loss are allegedly published In the Toronto Globe and Mail as well as the British Journal of Dermatology.
As alleged in the Taxotere lawsuits, pharmaceutical lawsuits often contain a failure to warn allegation. A failure to warn allegation means that the pharmaceutical company had information to believe that a potential side effect or adverse event may occur and thereafter failed to warn about the potential side effect or adverse event. Warnings surrounding pharmaceuticals are very important because patients and even the doctors who prescribe the drugs do not test to determine what if any side effects may occur when taking a drug. Because a drug may cause a side effect does not necessarily mean the drug is not safe or should not be used by a patient. It is however critically important that patients and their doctors be informed of all potential side effects, so they may make an informed decision as to whether a specific drug is right for them and their specific situation.
If you or someone you know would like to speak to one of our attorneys about a Taxotere lawsuit, contact our office 24 hours a day seven days a week. Our attorneys offer a free consultation on all matters.
