Oxbryta Litigation Has Commenced

Recently, a medication for sickle cell disease, Oxbryta, was voluntarily recalled because it can cause complications and death. Litigation has begun against Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Global Therapeutics. One plaintiff, a patient who underwent treatment, has alleged that the companies should have known that administration of the sickle cell treatment could result in a patient’s death. According to that plaintiff, he suffered a higher rate of vaso-occlusive crisis after he used the medication. Pfizer denies that it acted irresponsibly. If you were harmed by Oxbryta, give the seasoned Chicago-based dangerous drug lawyers of Moll Law Group a call.

Call Moll Law Group About Your Oxbryta Claim

Oxbryta is a drug that was meant to alleviate sick cell disease symptoms. It was formulated to prevent hemoglobin polymerization; this, in turn, stops the sickling of red blood cells and improving the ability for hemoglobin to be oxygenated. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated its approval for those patients who are at least 12-years-old. In 2021, the FDA approved the drug for children with the minimum age for use being age 4. Unfortunately, once the drug was used in the real world, certain side effects were dire. One of the complications that arose in connection with the drug were vaso-occlusive crises, painful incidents where the sickled blood cells obstruct the flow of blood through a patient’s body. Some patients died as a result of these complications.

Pfizer recalled the drug across the world in September 2024, due to this real-world data that indicated Oxbryta’s risks are greater than its potential benefits. Patients and family members brought many lawsuits against Pfizer, and many of these claimed that Pfizer and its subsidiary had failed to provide adequate warnings as to these risks and complications. In plain terms, they are arguing that the company didn’t let them know about the risk of suffering vaso-occlusive crises and death and this prevented doctors and patients from making informed decisions about whether or not to take the drug.

Theories of recovery that are asserted in these lawsuits also include negligence and breach of warranty. Specifically, plaintiffs claim that Pfizer didn’t adequately test Oxbryta and that the company promoted the drug as being safe when it is not.

When a company puts a dangerous drug on the market, and that drug injures or kills patients, it may be appropriate for the affected parties to pursue compensation in a product liability lawsuit. These lawsuits seek both economic and noneconomic damages that can include lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, medical bills, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.

While Oxbryta seemed like a safe innovation at the time it was approved, it may not have been. More discovery and investigation is needed, but if you were harmed by Oxbryta and suffered a vaso-occlusive crisis, you should give the seasoned Chicago-based dangerous drug lawyers of Moll Law Group a call. We may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. We represent plaintiffs and their families all over the country. Please complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.