Parilman & Associates

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.

On Monday, in New Jersey State Court, opening statements were heard in Rosenberg v. Merck; a Fosamax products liability trial involving bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The Rosenberg v. Merck trial began on Jan 18, 2011 in the Superior Court for Atlantic County and it is the fourth Fosamax case to go to trial.Judge Carl E. Higbee, who is overseeing the New Jersey state court Fosamax "mass tort" litigation, is presiding over the Rosenberg v. Merck trial

The plaintiff, Allison Rosenberg, claims that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which she used from 1999 to 2006, caused her jaw problems after a tooth extraction in 2005; resulting in the eventual death of her jawbone.

This week Johnson and Johnson announced it’s fourth quarter earnings, which reported net earnings of 1.94 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. This drop was greatly affected by the $922 million set aside in after-tax charges as a result of product recalls. In Tuesday’s press release, Johnson & Johnson stated that the $922 million had been set aside to represent “the net impact of litigation settlements, product liability expense and costs associated with the DePuy ASR® Hip recall."

It is expected that the set aside of nearly $1 billion will only amount to a small fraction of the anticipated total cost to Johnson and Johnson for DePuy hip settlements, litigation defense expenses, and other costs associated with the DePuy hip recall. This is because a very small number of the possible cases likely to be brought against Johnson and Johnson have been settled so far.

Three months ago, pharmaceutical maker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $750 million to resolve a U.S. government false-claims lawsuit over charges that the company knowingly manufactured and sold adulterated drugs.The affected medications involved in the suit included the popular antidepressant Paxil and the type II diabetes medication Avandia.

This week, the whistleblower responsible for bringing to light the disturbing problems at a Glaxo plant that resulted in the false-claims lawsuit, spoke out for the first time on 60 minutes.In her interview, Cheryl Eckard, former Glaxo global quality assurance manager, made public the shocking disregard shown by the company for the safety and quality of the products they manufacture.

Since last November’s Darvocet/Darvon Recall, several lawsuits have already been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Darvocet and Darvon.The lawsuits allege that Xanodyne did not adequately warn doctors and patients about the potentially fatal side effects of the painkillers.

One of the Plaintiffs, Kristine Esposito, has filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation seeking to have the Darvocet/Darvon litigation centralized for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.Two other plaintiffs have filed briefs in support of consolidation.

Beginning this month, a new California law will require federal health and safety ratings to be publically posted for each nursing home facility.California is the first state to mandate the posting of the federal ratings since they went into effect in 2008.The federal rating give facilities one to five stars based on quality of care.The purpose of the new law is to ensure patients and their families are aware of the federal evaluations and to help them obtain important information regarding the quality of a nursing home.

Picking a nursing home for a loved one can truly be a life or death situation.According to The National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 are mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Reports show that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for abuse ranging from death to malnutrition and dehydration, inadequate medical care, and other serious injuries and conditions.

Meridia Update: Fruta Planta Recall
Another Weight Loss Product Found to Contain Meridia

Meridia was recalled last year after studies showed an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since the Meridia recall, the active ingrediant in Meridia has been found in other weight loss supplements still on shelves.

Avastin Update: Link Between Cancer Drug Avastin and Heart Problems

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology appears to confirm the link between Avastin and an increased risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. This finding lends support to the FDA’s recent decision to withdraw approval for Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer.

Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL 2197, also known as the DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation. The panel’s decision means that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. All currently pending lawsuits over DePuy ASR hip replacement systems and all future federal DePuy Hip injury cases will be transferred to U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in Toledo, Ohio.

Last week, the FDA announced their decision to revoke Avastin’s approval for breast cancer treatment.This decision comes after a review showing Avastin does little to help breast cancer patients; the FDA feels the number of potential Avastin side effects outweigh the limited medical benefits to breast cancer patients.

The Swiss drug maker Roche has refused to voluntarily withdraw Avastin’s breast cancer indication and plans to hold a public hearing challenging the decision.The FDA’s ruling will likely cost Roche hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prompted by the recent DePuy ASR hip implant recall, as well as reports of problems with other knee and hip systems which have not yet been recalled, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has created the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The AJRR is the first of it’s kind in the U.S. and is designed to gather data and help identify issues with hip and knee replacement products earlier.

The AAOS first announced their plans for the registry in July 2009 and according to the AJRR, they have now begun collecting Data from 15 hospitals aiming to “assess the diversity of systems in place and discover the best methods of transmitting secure data”. David G. Lewallen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic who chairs the AJRR board, has said that 75 hospitals initially agreed to participate in the pilot registry program, but many more were added to the list after the first 15 hospitals and affiliated orthopedists were selected. More hospitals will likely be added in early 2011, and will begin contributing their data to the registry.