Is Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health going to the dogs? A Toledo, Ohio, man has sued the drugmaker, which is now part ofMerck, for negligence for marketing faulty batches of Vetsulin, which is used to control diabetes in dogs and cats.
In his lawsuit, Larry Friedman claims the drugmaker should have known prior to a Nov. 2 warning from the FDA that its medication was contaminated or improperly manufactured. He also argues that Vetsulin should have been recalled. His 13-year-old terrier died of kidney failure earlier this month and he wound up spending more than $1,000 in vet bills.
The vet "came to our home. We put him to sleep in his bed, with us petting him," Freidman tells The Toledo Blade. "This is about getting justice for all the people who bought this product with the belief that it was going to help their dog or cat."
The FDA warned Vetsulin is "out of specification" and so could delay insulin activity. "Unstable insulin products can result in unpredictable fluctuations in the glucose levels of diabetic patients. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is unable to assure FDA that each batch of their product is stable," the warning continued. The agency and the drugmaker advised vets to "closely monitor" pets given the med for any signs of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. The warning indicated supplies may be limited; there was no mention of a recall. Similar info appears on the Vetsulin web site.
10 Comments
This is a real issue for pet owners. My parents dog was recently diagnosed with diabetes and they were having a terrible time stabilizing him on Vetsulin, which easily cost them 2k in vet bills. He is now on human insulin due to the problems with Vetsulin.
The whole situation is terrible but sadly not the first time the company has had issues with quality in their manufacturing. Have a look. Others were on the human side. ie inhaler has little medicine within it
Our beloved dog, Dock, had been well regulated on Vetsulin but took a rapid decline in the last 2 months of his life. See ths following link:
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091226/NEWS16/912260378/0/OPINION02
For those interested in participating in the class action, contact attorney Rick Kerger at 419-255-5990
That's so sad. Drugmakers should realize that what they make is GOING INTO SOMEONE'S BODY. People who knowingly put out dangerous products should be arrested for abuse.
The vet “came to our home. We put him to sleep in his bed, with us petting him.”
That's heartbreaking.
Where is Cafe Pharma tonight? Any idea? Saturday January 2, 2009.
I would like to extend my sincere thoughts for your loss. I too have experienced the awful and heart-wrenching effects of the "out of specification" Vetsulin. My cat was diagnosed Diabetic early November and was put on Vetsulin. In less than 2 weeks (and the night before Thanksgiving) my cat began having seizures shortly after administering the Vetsulin. We rushed him to a local Emergency Veterinary Clinic as we were visiting family out of town. After another episode of the seizures the following morning (again shortly after administering the Vetsulin) where he spent the next 4 days in ICU. It was at this time that I learned of the Vetsulin "alert"... unfortunately, it was too late (and it is more appaling that a potentially harmful life-threatening situation such as this was not immediately and responsibily addressed to the public by the manaufacturere!). Upon returning back home, he was again rushed to an on-call vet due to more seizures, lethargy, and episodes of crying out that melted my heart. I was told that his kidneys were going into failure and that I seriously think about my options and this would most likely be an ongoing battle. It is over a month later and my cat continues to suffer as a result of corporate irresponsibility. He continues to be under the watch of the vet; his kidneys have been effected, his heart, depression, lack of energy, possible neurological deficites as a result of the "out of specification" product and resulting seizures, not to mention the toll it has taken on HIM... to compare how he was immediately before the Vetsulin to now (and all that he has been through as a result) just breaks my heart (but I am continuing to fight to save him so long as he has the strength to do so) and has taken a significant financial toll. Of note, about 2 weeks ago, his regular vet did call the manufacturer to report my cat's case and was told that their product was safe and that they were unaware of any problems as a result of this "alert"!! Ridiculous and out right disregard for the effect of THEIR "out of specification" product on these defenseless animals! I am his advocate in this mess and will not rest until the manufacturer accepts responsbility for their batched product and the senseless toll it has taken on these unsuspecting pets (and well as their owners) not withstanding the unfortunate loss of life!
Our dog was only 8 and was put on Vetsulin for his diabetes. He was later put on human insulin but it was too late and he passed away. I truly feel for all of us who lost pets.
What is the status of this lawsuit now? Can those of us who lost animals still get in on it. I am in Toledo as well.
My dog was never regulated on vetsulin. 4 months ago her belly was to distended and we lost her. I blame the makers of vetsulin
My dog was never regulated on vetsulin. 4 months ago her belly was to distended and we lost her. I blame the makers of vetsulin