The modern mass media is a complicated phenomenon, and what predominates is rarely representative of everything going on. For example, right now the news is dominated by events at the G20 summit and the massive oil spill in the Gulf. News about the intensely disruptive side effects of Reglan seems to be in short supply. However, this does not mean that there is no news at all, nor does it mean that no one is looking into the problem on behalf of the plaintiffs affected by Reglan and its side effect, Tardive Dyskinesia (TD).
Fourteen trials have been set to see review between now and January of 2011, all pertaining to Reglan and its side effects. Beginning April 19th, the first of the Reglan trials began in Birmingham, Alabama. Other states considering cases include Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Texas and California, according to the Jere Beasley Report.
Further, the signs are good for those patients involved in the lawsuits. The evidence is certainly on their side. TD has manifested in two fashions in Reglan patients, both of which can provide strong evidence for the plaintiffs in their pursuit of justice.
In the first case, the disorder presents temporarily. Some patients who are on the medication eventually develop TD, and after they stop taking the medicine it fades away. This shows a causal or at least correlated link — when taking the meds, patients display symptoms. In other cases, the disorder presents permanently or semi-permanently, as indicated in the black-box label warning ordered by the FDA. This demonstrates the potentially serious nature of what Reglan can do to patients, and is very likely to sway a jury through personal testimony from patients still demonstrating the symptoms of the illness.
So if you’re considering getting legal help for a case related to Reglan, but feel that it’s an issue no one is talking about, be assured that there are steps being taken and efforts being made.
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