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FDA’s Avandia Restrictions – A “Victory” For Consumer Safety

In a victory for consumers, the FDA finally restricted sales of Avandia in the United States (as well as suspending all use in Europe.) However, as noted in the New York Times, the dangers associated with Avandia only came to light after a cardiologist analyzed data from clinical trials that GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of the… read more

Malpractice “Reforms” Unrelated To The Practice Of Defensive Medicine

In direct contradiction to claims that medical malpractice caps are necessary on pain and suffering in order to reduce the costs of doctors practicing “defensive medicine, ” a recent study released in the policy journal Health Affairs found that many of the popular proposals suggested for reducing medical malpractice are unrelated to the practice of… read more

Traumatic Brain Injuries Often The Beginning Of A Disease Process

According to a recent study, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have now been linked to the onset of several debilitating diseases. Commonly associated with birth trauma, car accidents, and sport’s injuries, TBIs have now been shown to set off a neurological process associated with Alzheimer’s, sleep apnea, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Complicating… read more

Senator Questions Company’s Response To Paid Consultant’s Complaints About Zimmer Durom Cup

In a letter, previously posted on the WSJ website, to Zimmer CEO David Dvorak, Senator Charles Grassley raised questions regarding how the company responds to criticisms concerning joint replacement products, including the Zimmer Durom Cup (also known as the Zimmer Durom Acetabular Cup), by physicians who are paid company consultants. Grassley has a history of… read more

New Reports Cite Safety Concerns Regarding Use Of Shoulder Pain Pumps

A previously issued report on the Anesthesiology News website indicated that shoulder pain pumps – pumps used to deliver intra-articular pain medication during surgery – may be causing more harm than good. Anesthesiology News joins the New York Times, the FDA, and hundreds of patients nationwide citing the potential for devastating and long-term shoulder injuries… read more

The 110th Congress United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visits the Branch Law Firm

The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives paid a surprise visit to the Branch Law Firm today, August 3rd, 2010, sitting and visiting with the attorneys and the staff. Turner and Margaret Branch have been close friends with Speaker Pelosi for a very long time, in fact, before she was a Congresswoman. Turner… read more

New Mexico State Employees can sue State Agencies

Government employees working in New Mexico will now be able to bring a lawsuit before the New Mexico court system. It is important to hold state agencies acting negligent accountable and with the diligent work done by the Attorneys at the Branch Law Firm client Sarah Quintero, 53, who sustained a compound leg fracture in… read more

Avandia Clinical Trials Partially Stopped

Last week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel recommended that Avandia – a popular diabetes drug linked to a higher risk of heart attack – contain either stronger warning labels or restrict its use. Avandia is developed and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. In addition to a well-documented increased risk of heart attack, Avandia has… read more

Manufacturers of dangerous drugs should not be immune from liability

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has recently submitted a question to the Food and Drug Administration requesting a response to its position on immunity. At issue is the claim by manufacturers that because the FDA regulates prescription drugs, once the drugs they make have received FDA “approval,” drug manufacturers cannot be held liable for… read more

FDA AVANDIA Hearing – Day Two update

The officials voting today were presented with multiple choice questions. Question three had a choice of A. The data provides sufficient evidence to raise significant safety concerns in diabetes type 2 patients taking Rosiglitazone (Avandia). B. The data does not provide sufficient evidence to raise significant safety concerns in diabetes type 2 patients taking Avandia…. read more