When we go into a clinic for a Migraine treatment, or receive any treatment for that matter, it is up to the doctors and nurses to take care of us. We depend on them. The medical community and patients rely on the pharmaceutical companies to give them information about the drugs they give us to feel better. The pharmaceutical companies, patients and medical community rely on the FDA to ensure the safety of the drugs. Someone dropped the ball here. Diana Levine will pay for this mistake every day for the rest of her life. The medical professional who accidentally administered the IV incorrectly will feel, well, I really can't imagine. The clinic where she received her Migraine treatment settled with her out of court. Wyeth writes a big check. Who makes sure this doesn't happen again? Is the pharmaceutical company really responsible for this horrible mistake? Is it human error? When we do take responsibility for horrible things happening? Was the medical professional overworked? Trained properly?

Ms. Levine's loss is incomprehensible. It is amazing that she is playing her guitar again, good for her. I'd love to hear what you think. Please post a comment and let me know.

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Sources:

Associated Press. "Amputee fights drugmaker to regain her "glow." MSNBCHealthNews. October 30, 2008.

Richwine, Lisa; Vicini, James.  "FDA-approved labels no legal shield." Reuters.com. March 4, 2009

PharmExecBlog. "Preemption Watch: You've Been Warned." PharmExec Direct. March 5, 2009.

Koroneos, George. "Wyeth Loses Preemption Battle." PharmExec.com. March 4, 2009.

Gibb, Gordon. "One Down, One to Go: Could Pre-Emption for Medical Devices Be Next?" LawyersandSettlements.com. March 5, 2009.

© Nancy Bonk, 2009.
Last updated March 10, 2009.