Acthar is a prescription gel given to a wide variety of patients who suffer from different ailments. Among them are people with lupus, infants who suffer from infantile spasms, adults who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and for other patients who deal with flares related to various other immune-related disorders. In July of 2014, the manufacturers of Acthar, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, submitted a regulatory filing that brought into question the safety of their drug.
In their filing, Questcor revealed that in 2013, the total number of patients that reported negative side effects after using the drug constituted 14% of prescriptions. As a comparison, in 2011 only 9.1% of prescriptions were reported to have caused issues for patients. Investors use the filings to identity whether a company they want to invest is doing well and they are not investing in a drug that is not harmful to patients. In this case, it was the first time Questcor had made these issues public.
Many of the side effects that were reported by the company were severe or potentially fatal. The drug has since come under scrutiny because of these side effects. The fact that Questcor had not publicly announced these issues speaks to their desire to hide these potentially deadly side effects from investors. Undoubtedly, they have a lot to lose: Acthar, priced at $28,000 for a five-milliliter vial, generates almost 95% of Questcor’s revenues.
Legal Commentary
Attorneys within our firm are studying, examining and investigating current Acthar claims on behalf of people or families injured by the drug. Some of the side effects include abdominal pain, increase in sugar blood levels and renal failure. If you or a loved one has experienced any side effects while taking Acthar, contact our lawyers to discuss the facts of your potential case. We are available by phone for a free consultation at 1.866.705.7584 or by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com.
About the Author
Majed Nachawati is a dedicated Lawyer with a focus on representing victims and families harmed by dangerous drugs on a nationwide basis. Mr. Nachawati has resolved numerous pharmaceutical litigation cases through trial that have resulted in seven and eight figure confidential settlements. He is on the Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas. He is licensed to practice in the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas. Mr. Nachawati is a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Board of Directors for Public Justice, a Leaders’ Forum and PAC member of the American Association for Justice. Mr. Nachawati has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly Magazine for the past six consecutive years for legal excellence, in connection with noteworthy settlements for pharmaceutical injury cases. Mr. Nachawati is also a member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Nachawati can be reached by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com or by calling 1.866.705.7584.