On February 25, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a drug safety communication, announcing new label warnings for diabetes injection pens. According to the agency, these warnings are intended to reduce the risk of patients spreading serious infections. Multi-use diabetes pens, including those used with type-2 diabetes medications such as Victoza and Byetta, will be required to have a warning label that states “For single patient use only,” which will impact both insulin pens and injectable diabetes drugs. Previously, diabetes drugs such as Victoza have been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and kidney failure.
If you or a loved one took Victoza, Byetta or another type-2 diabetes medication and suffered complications including pancreatic or other types of cancer, contact Attorney Group for a free consultation. We can answer your questions, and if you have a case, we can connect you with an affiliated diabetes medication lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Multi-Patient Use of Diabetes Injection Pens Reported
According to the FDA, there have been multiple incidents involving diabetes injection pens used by patients. A U.S. Army facility warned more than 2,100 patients in January 2009 that they might have been exposed to infections since there were instances of insulin pens being used on more than one patient. Two years later, in August 2011, 2,345 patients at the Dean Clinic in Wisconsin were notified that needle stick devices and pens had been used on several patients.
In addition, 716 patients of the Veterans Health Administration were warned in January 2013 that they might have been exposed to bloodborne pathogens as a result of multi-patient use of diabetes injection pens. A South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York issued a warning, informing more than 4,000 patients that they may be at risk of serious complications and diseases since the insulin pens may have been used on more than one patient.
Among factors contributing to diabetes injection pens being used on multiple patients, the FDA notes the lack of adequate warning labels. The lack of these warnings may contribute to inconsistencies in training, a lack of awareness of the risks associated with pen sharing, or a lack of training on the proper use of the devices.
Do You Have Questions about a Potential Diabetes Medication Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one took a type-2 diabetes medication and suffered complications, call Attorney Group for more information about your options. At no out-of-pocket cost to you, we can answer your questions. If you have a case, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can file a diabetes medication lawsuit on your behalf and help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
