Modern medicine has made many advancements in the past several decades. Doctors in Pennsylvania now have a variety of specialized prescription medications to offer patients to treat everything from a common cold to cancer. Prescription medications are supposed to help people overcome deadly illnesses and relieve pain. People rely on this medicine to help, not hurt.
All too often, however, prescription medication is flawed — through its design, use or manufacture. This can lead to serious medical issues for the people who took the dangerous prescription medication.
To reduce the risk of injuries to Pennsylvania residents and others around the country, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has implemented a series of safety initiatives relating to prescription medication. Under the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, the FDA has been given the authority to regulate the supply of drugs into the country.
This is important because at least 80 percent of the active ingredients in prescription drugs are imported into the United States. Additionally, 40 percent of finished drugs are also imported. Under the FDASIA, the FDA has gained the power to regulate prescription drugs that are coming from outside the U.S and the right to inspect those drugs. Additionally, it has created regulations about when a prescription drug can be denied, limited or delayed in the U.S. It has also created penalties for drugs that have been counterfeited.
Prescription medication can be made safer if the process is careful executed. The FDA is working hard to prevent problems, but not everyone is safe. While a prescription drug recall can help to save people, sometimes it is too late. An attorney may be able to help those who have been injured or killed by a dangerous product, including dangerous prescription medications.