Millions of people across the United States suffer from constant pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis. It makes doing activities like taking a vacation extremely difficult. Consumers depend on medications like Actemra to help them lead a normal life. However, when companies like Roche, the maker of Actemra, fail to warn about the dangers of their medication, it destroys lives instead.
About Actemra
Introduced in 2010, Actemra treats rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike other drugs on the market, it was supposed to not carry the same potentially deadly cardiovascular and lung complications. However, according to a new report from STAT, Actemra is not as safe as the FDA and Roche would want consumers to believe. In fact, the STAT report suggests that the drug can be more dangerous than its competitors.
Actemra Is More Dangerous & Without Warnings
The FDA approved Actemra with the condition that Roche would perform Phase IV clinical trials (post-marketing trials). This is normal protocol when there is inconclusive evidence about a drug’s long-term safety. Researchers at the 2016 American College of Rheumatology showed the results from the Phase IV trial. After researchers compared Actemra users to a competitive RA drug, Enbrel, they found Actemra users have a 1.5 times higher rate of stroke and heart failure.
Enbrel has warning labels warning of these side effects but Actemra does not.
Deadly Side Effects
Just six years after approval, the FDA received nearly 14,000 side-effect reports involving Actemra. Some also implicated that Actemra was responsible for over 1,000 deaths. The causes of death listed in the majority of these FDA reports were heart disease, lung disease, and stroke.
In fact, the complaints to the FDA show that not only does manufacturer Roche fail to provide adequate warning labels, but also the drug may actually cause more adverse events than other drugs on the market. Moreover, those other drugs actually have accurate warning labels.
The side effects experienced from taking Acterma can affect various parts of the body. These range from ILD, stroke, heart attack and pancreatitis.
We Want to Help Victims
It is your right to be informed about the long-term risks associated with the medications you take, and it is the responsibility of drug companies to provide this information. If you or a loved one has developed dangerous side effect after taking Actemra, you should demand accountability. Why didn’t Roche tell you of these serious side effects?
We want to help send a message that this is not acceptable. If a dangerous product harmed you, we will be your advocate. Additionally, we have the experience necessary to successfully litigate these cases.
Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about seeking justice. They have decades of experience going against large pharmaceutical companies like Roche and receiving multimillion-dollar settlements. Compensation may be available for any medical expenses associated with this ordeal, as well as for your physical and emotional suffering.