Acthar, an expensive specialty drug prescribed to patients with various auto-immune and neurological diseases, has come under scrutiny in recent times for its severe and potentially deadly side effects. It’s also recently coming under more criticism because of the relationship many doctors have with its manufacturer, Questcor.
In 2012 alone, for example, 18 practitioners wrote 15 or more prescriptions for Acthar. At least 9 of those 18 practitioners were promotional speakers, researchers, or consultants for Questcor. Perhaps more importantly, many of those doctors had issues with their medical track records. One neurologist, Dr. Sean Orr, had his license suspended in 2011. Although he was not a top prescriber, he was a promotional speaker for the drug and company. The same doctor was also accused of misdiagnosing healthy patients with neurological diseases in order to prescribe them expensive treatments and medications like Acthar.
The conflict of interest that these financial relationships reveal is obvious. Doctors have a financial incentive to prescribe the medication, whether a patient may need it or not. Furthermore, at $28,000 for a five-milliliter vial, Acthar is not an inexpensive drug and also generates 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.