The Johnson and Johnson pain patch is at the center of the controversy. We have developed extensive evidence regarding the defect involved in the Duragesic pain patch. When finally brought to light at trial, we have consistently achieved large jury verdicts affirming the existence of the defect. In addition, the evidence clearly proves a knowledge of the defect on the part of the manufacturer that did not stop them from continuing sales of the product. We will fight for every individual who has lost a loved one due to use of the Duragesic pain patch until the last family due compensation for their loss is made whole. Please send us an e-mail if you believe you have an overdose claim and we will provide a complimentary evaluation of your case.
The mother of a man who authorities say died of a painkiller overdose is suing his father for allegedly supplying a potent patch.
Court records say 34-year-old CLinton Bitz of Sioux Falls, S.D., died in April 2007 from what authorities called an acute Fentanyl overdose. The painkiller patches allegedly were prescribed to his father, Francis Bitz, of Edgeley.
Clinton Bitz’s mother, Wanda Cyr, of Monticello, Minn., has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Francis Bitz. Cyr is seeking more than $80,000.
Francis Bitz says in court documents that he should not be held responsible for damages.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein has set a trial date of Oct.
12, 2010, but scheduled a conference in January to discuss a possible settlement.
Original Article (APNewsNow.)
Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) — Johnson & Johnson and Novartis AG’s Sandoz unit recalled some patches containing the painkiller fentanyl, saying manufacturing defects may cause leaks that can lead to fatal overdoses.
The Duragesic patches, made by Johnson & Johnson’s Alza Corp., may have a cut along the drug reservoir, exposing users directly to the fentanyl gel inside, the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said in a statement. It’s the fifth recall of some version of the patches since 1994.
“Perhaps the time has come for the FDA to order Johnson & Johnson to pull all versions of this product off the shelves,” said Alex MacDonald, a lawyer who represents the families of former patch users. Juries have found defective patches caused the deaths of two users since lawsuits over the products began going to trial in 2006.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Morristown, NJ — February 17, 2008 — Actavis Inc., the United States manufacturing and marketing division of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis Group hf, today announced that 14 lots of Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States by Actavis’ subsidiary Actavis South Atlantic LLC are being voluntarily recalled from wholesalers and pharmacies as a precaution.
The recalled patches were manufactured by Corium International Inc., a contract manufacturer for Actavis, and sold nationwide in the United States by Actavis South Atlantic LLC.
The Duragesic patch and other generic fentanyl pain patches are still killing people, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned today. The Duragesic pain patch, marketed by Johnson & Johnson, and other generic pain patches, emit the powerful narcotic painkiller fentanyl. These transdermal pain patches were approved to treat pain in people who use narcotics, such as cancer patients. Today’s FDA notice is the second time since 2005 that the agency has warned of fatal consequences linked to fentanyl painkilling patch misuse.
The Duragesic and other similar pain patches are meant to treat persistent, moderate to severe chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients 2 years of age or older. Fentanyl is a highly addictive opiate that is 80 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is considered a Class II substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning it is associated with a high potential for abuse and a risk for fatal overdose. The Duragesic and similar patches use so-called “transdermal” technology developed by California-based Alza Corporation.