Manufacturers of Zantac Faced with Lawsuits After Ingredients Linked to Certain Forms of Cancer Were Detected in the Medicine
If you have been diagnosed with stomach or bladder cancer as a result of consuming Zantac, you may have a viable case against the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Inc. or others that have sold Ranitidine. Contact Blizzard Law, PLLC to speak with a Houston, TX drug injury attorney if you suspect your current health condition was caused as a result of taking Zantac.
On September 25, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary nationwide recall of Ranitidine tablets (75mg and 150mg), which is the generic name for Zantac which is used to treat heartburn. The recall was issued at the retail level after an unsafe amount of NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) was detected in Zantac and similar generic medications
For those who are unaware of what NDMA is, it is classified as a probable human carcinogen, or a substance that could cause cancer, according to the FDA. Although many drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens have already begun to pull Zantac and other generic medications containing Ranitidine off their shelves, many of the lawsuits that have been filed were for individuals who began taking the drug years ago. In fact, the New York Law Journal recently reported that a lawsuit was filed by Dana Viola, a New Jersey resident who has accused Pfizer Inc. of “misleading consumers about the health risks associated with the over-the-counter heartburn medicine Zantac.”
According to the lawsuit, the medication the company manufactured between 2000 and 2006 contained NDMA as an ingredient but failed to list it “or [disclose] the chemical’s cancer-causing properties.” Viola began purchasing Zantac in 2000 and stopped using it in 2016. The source reported that Viola’s lawsuit “cited figures by Valisure, an FDA-registered online pharmacy, which found that certain lots of Zantac contained between 2.5 million and 2.8 million nanograms [of NDMA] per tablet.” However, the suit also highlighted that the FDA “limits the permissible intake of NDMA [to] 96 nanograms per day.”
Although the company claims that its Zantac formulation was safe for consumption and that they have not sold the mediciation in 13 years, this lawsuit and many others are targeting Pfizer Inc. and others for allegedly exposing consumers to a hazardous substance they did not know Zantac contained.
Additional Lawsuits Accuse Current Maker of Zantac of Similar Violations
In addition to Pfizer Inc. Sanofi-Aventis, the current maker of Zantac in the U.S., are also being accused of similar violations. If you have been taking Zantac or Ranitidine that was manufactured by another company and believe you developed a serious health condition because of it, the Houston, TX drug injury attorneys at Blizzard Law, PLLC may be able to assist you with filing a lawsuit and recovering the compensation you deserve for the impact the hazardous drug has had on your life.
When a company fails to disclose to the public that the medicine they are selling contains a potentially harmful ingredient that could worsen their condition or cause them to develop a new one, that company is said to be negligent and should be held accountable. One of the ways this can be accomplished is by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer. When you choose to sue a manufacturer of a drug, you will need to be represented by an experienced drug injury attorney who can help you assess your damages and determine what your claim is worth.
Seeking Damages for a Drug Injury in Houston, TX
Although a lawsuit isn’t going to reverse the damage that has already been done, especially if you developed cancer as a result of taking Ranitidine, it can help to improve your circumstances For example, most personal injury lawsuits seek compensation for medical expenses (both past and future) which means you may be able to afford better quality care from doctors, specialists, and other health care professionals.
Some other damages you might be eligible to receive include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Living life with any type of health issue isn’t easy, especially knowing that you could have avoided developing it had you been properly warned by the drug company before taking the medication that caused it. At Blizzard Law, PLLC, we are here to help and support you through this difficult time. If you would like to speak with one of our skilled drug injury lawyers in Houston who can determine if you have a valid case against a drug company, contact us now at 713-844-3750.
You can reach Blizzard Law, PLLC at:
5020 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-844-3750
Website: www.blizzardlaw.com