Typically, when a drug available on the market is found out to be dangerous to the consumers, it may be recalled by the regulating agency in your state or the creators themselves upon meeting certain criteria. A drug recall means that the over-the-counter drug from the market. In most cases, drug recalls happen due to several reasons. These can include manufacturing errors, unregistered ingredients, adverse drug reactions, labeling issues, and many more.
Also, while most recalls involve minor problems which aren’t life-threatening, it’s still essential that you take this process seriously. Otherwise, it may end up becoming deadly for the person who’s consuming the drug being recalled.
So, if the medication you’ve used was recalled, below are the five steps to take from the get-go:
- Speak With Your Doctor
One of the most essential things to do when a medication is recalled is to talk to your doctor as soon as you know about the recall. This is especially true if you’ve recently taken a dose. When this happens, be sure to watch out for some symptoms and inform your physician about them. Once they know the symptoms, they’ll assess your medical attention and provide a new prescription, if necessary.
Moreover, a medication recall is something you shouldn’t take for granted, especially when there’s a risk of sustaining a serious health sidewalk. As such, you should find time to educate yourself about the risks by talking to your doctor after the recall.
Close up Hand picking up capsule drug from plastic pill box. Health care and medical concept.
- Contact An Attorney
If you think you’ve sustained a serious side effect of a recalled medication, then hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can be an excellent idea. With a legal professional by your side, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected from start to finish.
For example, when the manufacturer failed to provide a drug’s side effects before the recall happened, it may entitle you to a right to recover compensation for the hospital and medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and many more. Recently, many pharmaceutical manufacturers recalled the drug known as Zantac due to its potential cancer side effect.
That being said, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance from an attorney to ensure you can file a claim properly. They can assess your situation and help you receive maximum compensation for all the losses you’ve suffered. They can also navigate the legal process by helping you gather evidence to prove liability, negligence, and damages. However, if you need more information about a medication recall, particularly Zantac, don’t hesitate to read some reliable information, including Fuchsberg’s article.
- Dispose Of The Remaining Doses Of The Recalled Drugs
Another step to take if your medication is recalled from the market is to discard any remaining doses of it safely. However, in doing so, it’s crucial to follow your physician’s instructions on how to dispose of it properly. For example, they may request you to mix them with coffee grounds and seal the mixture in a bag before you throw them in the trash can. Also, they may instruct you to return the recalled drug to the pharmacy where you bought it from. That way, you can ensure that nobody would have access to it, thereby protecting them from its serious side effects when it’s consumed.
- Educate Yourself About The Recalls
If you were given a medication that has been recalled from the market, then it’s vital to educate yourself by staying on top of the recalls. You can do this by checking the website of the regulating agency in your state to know which prescriptions and other consumer products have been subject to a recall.
For example, if you’re from the U.S., the Food & Drug Administration provides an automatic alert notifying you if a certain drug is recalled. Once you get the notification, you can have more information about it on the FDA website. The information can include the reason for the recall, the signs of adverse reactions, and the things patients who are taking the drug should do after the recall.
- Watch Out For Any Changes In Your Health Condition
Generally speaking, people who have taken a recalled drug may not see the side effects immediately. Some of them may become visible in a few months or years. However, considering the reasons for the recall of the drug from the market, it’s best to be on the lookout for any changes in your health condition. Make sure to familiarize the symptoms and signs associated with the prescription’s side effects. When you notice any of the symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor for immediate medical attention.
Remember, just like the steps involved in ensuring a just compensation after an accident, you need to be fully aware of the signs and symptoms as side effects of a recalled prescription to prove the liability of the defendant and maximize compensation.
The Bottom Line
Indeed, a medication recall can be something that you should always consider as serious. When you were harmed by a drug that has been recalled from the market, you may be entitled to a right to get compensated for all the losses suffered by filing a personal injury claim.
But, before you can do that, make sure to follow the steps mentioned above in mind and you’d be able to protect yourself from the recalled drug’s health and legal effects.