The bad drug list has been in existence for years, often because big pharmaceutical companies push the use of blockbuster drugs to healthcare practitioners. Blockbuster drugs are those that can be used by anyone and solve an everyday health problem. Often, side effects of the drugs are minimized in order for pharmaceutical companies to gain the most profit from their sales.
Unfortunately, problems with the drugs may not develop until millions of people are taking them, making many consumers feel as if they are serving as guinea pigs when dangerous side effects occur, as reported in a recent story in the online zine Raw Story. Many times, these drugs are pulled from the market, such as with Darvocet, Meridia and Vioxx. However, some of these recalled drugs are very similar to some that are still sold today. 
Baycol
Baycol was an early statin drug, approved by the FDA in 1997 and touted as a replacement for the popular drug, Lipitor. In 2001, Baycol was withdrawn and put on the bad drug list when 52 people died from rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle tissue breaks down and can lead to kidney failure. Lipitor continued to sell well even after Baycol was recalled, although there are questions today about the safety of that drug as well. In fact, in 2012, the FDA required all statins to add a black box warning that the drugs have a risk of diabetes, liver injury, muscle damage and memory impairment. That warning was issued the same year the patent ended for Lipitor.
Meridia
In 1997, Abbott Laboratories released Meridia, a drug designed to provide more will power to women who were overweight. Even before it was approved by the FDA, the drug was on the bad drug list, as an FDA advisory committee voted five to four that the benefits of the drugs did not outweigh the risks, yet it still received approval. In 2009, there were 84 reports of deaths due to cardiovascular problems, according to the FDA. The drug was not withdrawn from all markets until 2010. This is similar to the drug Victoza. Although the drug is not a weight loss drug but meant to be used to treat Type 2 diabetes, one of the side effects is that the drug curbs the appetite. This has lead some doctors to prescribe the drug for those who may show early signs of being diabetic in order to help them stick to a healthy diet. Recent studies, however, show that Victoza may be linked to pancreatitis and thyroid cancer, prompting the FDA to add a black box label to the drug warning of those risks.
There are many more on the bad drug list that have been recalled by the FDA or pulled from the market by manufacturers. However, big pharmaceutical companies are still rushing drugs to market before they are properly tested, using consumers as guinea pigs without their knowledge.
Have You Become Sick Because of a Bad Drug?
If you or a loved one has been injured by a medication and you believe it is a bad drug, contact Attorney Group for an evaluation of your case. If you have a legitimate claim, Attorney Group can refer you to one of our affiliated attorneys who can file a lawsuit with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
