Mr. Smith's Neighborhood

It's a beautiful day in the Neighborhood for teachers everywhere! Anything and everything is fair game!

Getting Screwed by the Pharmaceuticals December 7, 2007

It’s Time for Some Accountability

Like many other diabetics around the country, I had been prescribed a GlaxoSmithKline medication called Avandia back in July of 2001. Later, in June of 2006, I was switched to a product called Avandaryl, a combination of Avandia and Glipizide (a sulfonylurea used to help control blood sugar levels).

If you took the time to do a search on Avandia, you would find that GlaxoSmithKline is under siege from lawsuits by stockholders and customers. I contacted my wife’s attorney (and a fellow alumnus of Iona Prep), Luis Penichet of The Penichet Law Offices in White Plains (NY) for his usual expert advice. Luis is truly one of the great guys walking around on this planet.

Luis referred me to a very trusted colleague and personal injury attorney, Phil De Caro of De Caro & De Caro in nearby Harrison. Mr. De Caro is a caring, sensitive, intelligent and understanding attorney who listened to my personal Avandia saga. He carefully noted the facts and asked great questions. His advice was honest and forthright, and he had my best interest first at all times.

Lots of people are going to cash in on the GlaxoSmithKline bonanza from the BILLIONS they raked in on a drug with unpublished lethal and debilitating effects. Unfortunately, it is likely that I will never see a penny for the pain, suffering, lost wages, illnesses, physical damage and the mental anguish endured by my wife.

Everything that has happened to my health since October 27, 2005, could have been avoided if GlaxoSmithKline simply disclosed that Avandia was contra-indicated for individuals with a history of heart disease. It is only now, as of November 2007, that “black box” warnings appear on Avandia products and the Avandia web site.

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