Tag: product safety
The Gatwick drone incident raises legal questions
The Gatwick drone incident that has brought one of the UK’s biggest airports to a complete standstill this week raises big legal questions.
We’ve written before about the use of smart technology and how it can be dangerous. Although the Gatwick drones appear to be high-tech and are being used as part of what appears to be a deliberate ploy, everyday drones can be dangerous. It’s those drones that can be easily bought online or on the high street that raise the legal questions as well.
If something happens, where’s the liability? Where’s the insurance? What do we need to do to ensure people are protected?
Valsartan recall widens
The Valsartan recall widened last month following updated advice from the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
Batches of products containing Valsartan that were supplied by Teva UK Ltd and Mylan are being recalled in the UK. This follows on from a drug alert earlier this year that was issued after the discovery that some Valsartan products were contaminated. Legal cases are already underway, and this latest recall involves further batches of the product.
An immediate suspension and quarantine of the additional affected products has been ordered.
Were you affected by the cough syrup mould recall?
Were you affected by the cough syrup mould issues that came to light over summer? In the midst of the season for colds and coughs, you may want to take heed of this warning if you’re not aware of it already.
Over summer, a formal recall was issued with the UK’s medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. This was a Class 2 Medicines recall for own-brand glycerine and blackcurrant cough syrup products manufactured for children by Bell, Sons & Co.
As these are marketed as own-brand products, it’s the likes of Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco at the centre of this recall.
Dangerous vitamin and mineral supplements
Are vitamin and mineral supplements pointless and potentially dangerous? Some experts think they are. What does this mean for users?
An American study claims that some vitamin and mineral supplements don’t provide for any health benefits to the user at all. Worse still, their research also suggested that some may actually increase the risks of death. Some may also be problematic for people with particular conditions, like diabetes.
In an age where health and beauty are important, are being people ripped off? Are some people even being put in danger?
Risperdal compensation deal agreed ahead of trial
A Risperdal compensation deal has been agreed ahead of a trial. This is said to be one of many potentially multi-million-pound settlements over the drug.
Some users who have been taking Risperdal medication have suffered severe side-effects. The use of the drug has also been involved in off-label marketing; i.e. using the drug for alternative reasons than what regulators have approved the drug for.
Off-label marketing can be a real problem for consumers. When pharmaceutical giants see slow sales in particular products, they can be tempted to repackage them and sell them for different uses. Sometimes this isn’t a bad thing, but when the drug isn’t approved for certain uses, and where certain side-effects are prominent in off-label uses, people can suffer.
The Roundup weed killer cancer lawsuit
The Roundup weed killer cancer lawsuit alleges that the product can be carcinogenic. The ingredient at the heart of the case is glyphosate.
Although makers of Roundup, Monsanto, are fiercely defending the hundreds of claims brought against them, a claim has settled to the tune of over £200m. Monsanto say there is no viable evidence that glyphosate causes cancer. The common herbicide is found in many household and farming products.
The Roundup weed killer cancer lawsuits allege that glyphosate is carcinogenic. Opinions remain divided.
Hernia mesh compensation advice
We can help you with hernia mesh compensation advice. We can also offer No Win, No Fee representation for people suffering complications.
Some 170,000 who have received hernia mesh implants may well be suffering complications. In the same way we’ve been helping people for the vaginal mesh complications, we’re also able to represent hernia mesh claimants too.
The severity of the problems that victims can be left with can be serious and permanent. It’s important that anyone who has suffered complications comes forward for advice.
The latest talcum powder asbestos trial
One of the latest talcum powder asbestos trial cases is underway as a 94-year-old lady is claiming that her fatal mesothelioma was caused by talc.
This is one of the many cases being pursued in an action where millions of pounds have been awarded to victims who have successfully claimed that their deadly asbestos-related illnesses have been caused by talcum powder containing the deadly substance.
The talcum powder asbestos action is one of the biggest medical product issues of our time, and it could be set to go on for a number of years.
Stagecoach self-drive buses to be tested
Stagecoach self-drive buses are to be tested in depots, marking a potential shift toward self-driving technology on UK roads.
Currently, self-drive vehicles are not yet fully legal for road-use, but the government plans to have them on pubic roads as soon as possible. We have the likes of Tesla testing their self-drive technology right now, despite there being a number of accidents (and fatalities) so far that are linked to self-drive technology.
We remain incredibly concerned about these hastening developments.
Slime borax ingredient ‘toxic’ to children
The levels of a slime borax ingredient contained in the popular children’s toy has been found to be at potentially ‘toxic’ levels in eight of the leading slime products.
According to research conducted by consumer action group Which?, eight of the 11 leading slime products tested contained amounts of boron – a chemical in borax – deemed to be unsafe, leaving children at risk of irritation, diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps.
According to the research, the levels of the dangerous chemical may not be clearly listed on the ingredients and may be described as ‘contact lens solution’ which contains borax.
Diabetes testing kit recall
News of a diabetes testing kit recall is said to be “urgent” amid fears of lives at risk over false readings.
The Accu-Chek Aviva and the Accu-Chek Performa are the diabetes testing kits being recalled that could lead to an overdose or an under-dose of insulin that can lead to serious health complications for users.
Advice to patients is to stop using the affected devices and return them to a pharmacy for a replacement.
EpiPen failures not to be ignored
Recent data surrounding reported EpiPen failures should not be ignored. Data reviewed has found that, in the last few years, there has been hundreds of reports of EpiePen failures that have led to a number of hospitalisations, and potentially some deaths.
One issue reported after a failed delivery from an EpiPen was the needle sticking out of the device at an angle, preventing delivery of lifesaving adrenaline that can stop an allergic reaction from killing someone.
Given the importance of lifesaving devices, these reported EpiPen failures cannot be ignored.