Patients Alarmed After Learning that Fresenius Medical Center Knew of Heart Attack Risk Associated with GranuFlo Before FDA Alart
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 23, 2013 -- Fresenius Medical Center has come under scrutiny for two of their dialysis products, GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, both of which are allegedly linked to an increased risk for heart attacks (Rodriguez et al. v. Fresenius USA Inc. et al.; BC519374, Los Angeles Superior Court, California). Both GranuFlo and NaturaLyte are dialysates that use the same formula; GranuFlo is manufactured as a powder while NaturaLyte comes in a liquid form. However, these dialysates differ from other dialysates on the market in that they both contribute to an increase in bicarbonate in the blood. With this increase in bicarbonate, the FDA warned on March 29, 2012, that patients are put at risk of heart attacks and other complications related to the products’ use in their dialysis treatment. (http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/listofrecalls/ucm309990.htm)
As litigation for the GranuFlo lawsuit unfolds, patients have been alarmed to learn that Fresenius Medical Center may have been aware of both GranuFlo and NaturaLyte’s bicarbonate buildup before the FDA's warnings. In an internal company memo sent by Fresenius Medical Center in November of 2011, Fresenius alerted its doctors that failure to use GranuFlo properly led to a significant increase in the patients risk of sudden death from cardiac arrest. However, Fresenis did not share this information with patients or with doctors who used GranuFlo in non-Fresenius dialysis centers. ("Dialysis Company's Failure to Warn of Product Risk Draws Inquiry," June 14, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/15/health/fda-investigates-fresenius-for-failure-to-warn-of-risk.html)
“Fresenius Medical Center is the largest provider of dialysis machines and products in America and more than 40,000 Americans receive dialysis a year,” said Russell Budd of Baron and Budd. “It is disconcerting to discover with the GranuFlo lawsuit that Fresenius Medical Center knew of the dangers associated with their dialysates and chose not to alert all consumers of their products."
To learn more about the GranuFlo lawsuit, contact the GranuFlo lawyers of Baron and Budd at 1.866.472.9108 or email the GranuFlo lawyers at [email protected].
If you or someone you know has suffered from a heart attack or stroke after receiving dialysis, this may be related to the dialysate used during your treatment. Please call the GranuFlo lawyers for a free and confidential consultation to see if you have a potential GranuFlo lawsuit.
More information regarding the GranuFlo lawsuits may be found at http://baronandbudd.com/areas-of-practice/pharmaceuticals/granuflo-lawyer/.
About Baron & Budd, P.C.
With a history of over 35 years “Protecting What’s Right” for individuals, communities, and governmental entities, Baron and Budd is a well-established law firm devoted to making a positive difference. With offices in Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles and Baton Rouge, Baron and Budd is able to take on complicated and expensive cases within the realms of dangerous drugs and medical devices, asbestos-related illnesses, consumer fraud, water contamination, the Gulf oil spill and fraudulent financial practices.
Amanda Billo, Marketing, Baron & Budd, http://baronandbudd.com, +1 (214) 991-1051, [email protected]
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