Six patients who took the antibiotic Levaquin filed a federal lawsuit against former FDA Commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, MD, claiming the Commissioner defrauded consumers and conspired with Johnson & Johnson to conceal information about the harmful effects of Levaquin, according to abc 8 news.
Here are six things to know:
1. Levaquin is typically prescribed to patients with various infections, such as sinus or urinary tract infections. However, patients claim the drug is only effective in pain relief, rather than combating infections.
2. Attorney Larry Klayman, renowned for being a Washington watchdog, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the six patients. Mr. Klayman said, "Tens of thousands of people throughout this country have been seriously injured and some died as a result of this dangerous drug."
3. Dr. Hamburg's husband Peter Brown served as co-CEO of the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies while Dr. Hamburg served as FDA Commissioner. Renaissance Technologies held stock in Johnson & Johnson, and the suit claims Mr. Brown would profit tremendously if Johnson & Johnson did well.
4. The plaintiffs claim Dr. Hamburg was more than sufficiently aware about complaints about Levaquin and its side effects, but failed to order label changes for Levaquin.
5. Dr. Hamburg's attorneys refer to Mr. Klayman's claims as "patently false, reckless and offensive."
6. Johnson & Johnson maintains their support for Levaquin and stands behind their actions regarding the drug.
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