Failing EpiPens linked to seven deaths so far this year
EpiPen maker Mylan Pharmaceuticals was the subject of a high-profile Congressional inquiry last year. Federal lawmakers investigated the company for alleged price-fixing after published reports showed the price of the life-saving devices skyrocketed from $50 to over $600 in the span of a few short years. Mylan faced lawsuits from rival manufacturers relating to the pricing and cosmetic changes to EpiPen devices allegedly implemented to prohibit generic versions from coming to market.
The company is now courting controversy again, but this time for a different – and much more serious – reason. There have been 228 “adverse event” reports to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. products so far this year. Furthermore, seven patients tragically lost their lives after the devices failed to deploy correctly to administer medication designed to halt anaphylactic allergic reactions. An additional 35 people required hospitalization after their EpiPens failed.
A history of defects
Mylan recalled some of its EpiPens in March of this year following reports of failures. An FDA inspection of the company’s Missouri manufacturing plant found devices from which the life-saving epinephrine had leaked out, and others where the injector mechanism itself was faulty.
EpiPens are only prescribed to people whose allergies are serious and potentially fatal. When the devices fail, these already-vulnerable patients pay the price. If you or someone you love was killed or hurt because of a defective life-saving medical tool or prescription medication, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. Bringing a legal claim may be the best way to recover much-needed compensation for your family and to prevent such a tragedy from happening to someone else.