It is in the best interests of pharmaceutical manufacturers to deliver safe, high-quality medications. However, sometimes unforeseen problems arise with drugs despite rigorous testing. When this happens, drug companies may issue a recall to keep the public safe and to avoid becoming a target in pharmaceutical litigation. Drug recalls happen quite often, although most residents of Texas do not hear about every one of these recalls.
You may be pleased to know that medications cannot become available to the public without the approval of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This important process ensures drug manufacturers make safety and quality high priorities. The FDA also continues to monitor pharmaceuticals once they are available to the public.
Drug recalls can happen in two different ways. In one case, the manufacturer may discover problems with the drug and issue a voluntary recall. On the other hand, the FDA can issue a mandatory recall based on consumer complaints about the product. These recalls can happen for several reasons, including:
— The product is hazardous to the health of consumers.
— The drug may have been contaminated during manufacture.
— The product’s packaging or labeling may be confusing or unclear.
— The medication may contain defects.
— The label on the product does not match the actual ingredients of the drug.
It is a common misconception that victims who have been harmed by drugs cannot seek pharmaceutical litigation if the product has been recalled. You should know that recalling a defective drug does not absolve the manufacturers of liability. Even after the product’s recall, you may still pursue a legal remedy.
Source: WedMD, “What Is a Drug Recall?,” accessed June 09, 2017