If you suffer from sickle cell disease (SCD), you have probably heard of Oxbryta, a drug that was advertised as an entirely new approach to managing the condition. Tragically, the drug was a nightmare for many patients. It was taken off the market due to ineffectiveness and severe side effects.
Patients around the country have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. The team at Phillips Law Group are representing some patients impacted by this drug. Contact us to find out whether you meet the qualifications for an Oxbryta lawsuit.
A New Approach to Controlling SCD
Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that causes red blood cells to become rigid and sticky. The distorted cells have trouble moving through the blood vessels, which can lead to blockages and oxygen deprivation in tissues and organs.
People with SCD are prone to painful episodes called vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). They also can experience chronic anemia, frequent infections, organ damage, strokes, and premature death.
Oxbryta was marketed as a drug that would prevent the distortion of the hemoglobin cells, and reduce the likelihood and severity of VOCs and other symptoms. The FDA approved Oxbryta through an accelerated process, and it entered the market in 2019.
Understanding the Lawsuits
Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for ensuring that their drugs are effective and must warn against all potential side effects. When Oxbryta entered the market, it soon became clear that patients were not finding relief from their symptoms, and in fact, the incidence of VOCs increased among Oxbryta patients. Pfizer voluntarily recalled the drug and ceased marketing it in September 2024.
Lawsuits allege that Oxbryta was defective in its design and that Pfizer provided inadequate warnings of the potential side effects. They also allege that Pfizer’s marketing materials overstated the drug’s effectiveness and minimized its significant risks.
When many people are similarly affected by the same product, courts typically consolidate the lawsuits into a mass tort. However, it is unclear whether there will be sufficient cases filed to consolidate into a mass tort. Whether the cases are consolidated or each patient pursues a case individually, each patient’s attorney can present proof of the losses or damages Oxbryta caused and help them determine whether they qualify for a civil claim.
Who Is Eligible to Participate?
If you were impacted by Oxybryta, contact an attorney at Phillips Law Group immediately. You may be eligible to secure compensation from the drug manufacturer for your suffering and losses through a lawsuit. Keep in mind that Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542 requires you to file a lawsuit within two years of the discovery of your injury, so it is critical to act quickly.
You must meet certain qualifications to participate in an Oxbryta lawsuit. You must have taken Oxybryta for at least 60 days. After you began taking the drug, you must have suffered one of the following:
- Organ damage
- Stroke
- Vaso-occlusive crisis
The families of people who died after taking Oxybryta also may be eligible to participate.
If the lawsuit is successful, you can receive compensation for the losses you suffered due to taking the drug. These can include your medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, and payment to acknowledge your pain and suffering.
Consult Phillips Law Group About Qualifications for Filing an Oxybryta Lawsuit
If you took Oxybryta to manage your sickle cell disease and suffered a serious side effect, you deserve compensation. You suffered needlessly due to the greed and irresponsibility of a major pharmaceutical company.
Find out whether you meet the qualifications for an Oxybryta lawsuit by contacting the experienced attorneys at Phillips Law Group for help. We offer free consultations. Get in touch today to learn more.
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