Remdesivir manufacturer faces class-action lawsuit for alleged deception.
The Dark Side of Remdesivir: Lawsuit Alleges Deceptive Promotion and Hidden Side Effects
The company behind the widely-used COVID-19 treatment, remdesivir, is facing a class-action lawsuit for allegedly misleadingly promoting the drug without disclosing its potential side effects.
In a shocking turn of events, two California residents, including a relative of a remdesivir recipient who tragically passed away, have filed a lawsuit against Gilead Sciences. The lawsuit was filed in Shasta County on September 26.The plaintiffs, Deborah Fust and Edward Pimentel, accuse Gilead of deliberately concealing documented side effects of remdesivir in their promotional materials. Deborah Fust, who lost her spouse Michael Fust, and Edward Pimentel, who suffered injuries after receiving the drug, claim that Gilead failed to warn them about the potential dangers.
“This drug is a ticking time bomb. Our nonprofit has gathered hospital records from thousands of members, revealing a stark contrast in kidney readings and blood levels before and after remdesivir treatment,” stated Bradford Geyer, an attorney representing the plaintiffs from the Former Feds Group.
The FormerFedsGroup Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has compiled a collection of these cases on their website.The lawsuit alleges that Gilead intentionally downplayed or omitted crucial information about the risks associated with remdesivir, while emphasizing its supposed benefits and safety.
For instance, Gilead’s official website for the drug, also known as veklury, fails to mention any potential kidney problems. Even the patient handout (pdf) provided by Gilead neglects to address these issues.The lawsuit states, “Gilead’s advertising claims that remdesivir is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 are false and misleading. Gilead knew or should have known, based on prior studies and data, that remdesivir posed a high risk of severe adverse effects and death.”
According to the suit, Gilead’s advertising campaign “misrepresented and/or omitted crucial information about the drug.”
Gilead has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs are seeking class status, which would allow two groups of people to join the lawsuit. The first group consists of individuals who received remdesivir while hospitalized with COVID-19 and suffered serious injuries as a result. The second group includes individuals whose loved ones died after receiving remdesivir during their hospitalization.Early FDA Authorization
In May 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for remdesivir based on a government-sponsored clinical trial. However, it was later revealed that the trial’s endpoint was changed midway, raising concerns about the reliability of the results.
Critics argue that the change was made to ensure positive outcomes. Notably, a trial conducted by the World Health Organization found that remdesivir did not accelerate recovery time or reduce mortality rates, contradicting the U.S. recommendation.Animal studies and post-approval data have also raised concerns about the drug’s safety and effectiveness. Reports from the World Health Organization’s VigiBase database indicate a significantly higher incidence of kidney injuries associated with remdesivir compared to other COVID-19 treatments.
Furthermore, the FDA requires patients to disclose any pre-existing kidney problems before receiving remdesivir, as stated in their official guidelines (pdf). Therefore, Gilead’s failure to disclose the risk of kidney injuries in their promotional materials is a clear violation of California laws against deceptive practices and false advertising.The plaintiffs are seeking various orders, including the establishment of a class, a halt to Gilead’s deceptive practices, corrections to previous advertisements, the recall and destruction of misleading materials, restitution, and damages.
This lawsuit follows a recent ruling in Michigan, where a court determined that Gilead could be held liable for a man’s injuries after receiving contaminated remdesivir. The court rejected Gilead’s claim of immunity under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act.As the legal battle unfolds, the truth behind Gilead’s actions and the extent of the FDA’s involvement will be revealed. The plaintiffs and their lawyers are determined to uncover the facts and hold Gilead accountable for their alleged negligence.
What impact could the outcome of this lawsuit have on the pharmaceutical industry and the public’s trust in drug companies
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