Prescription drugs undergo rigorous testing before being allowed to be used in the UK, but sometimes difficulties can still arise.

At the extreme end of the scale, we have drugs that clearly should never have been allowed -– Thalidomide being perhaps the most well known example that most people would readily identify. Thalidomide was widely used in the 1950’s and 1960’s to treat morning sickness during pregnancy until it was linked with severe birth defects in thousands of children.

We then have a range of drugs that are deemed ‘safe’ and fit for purpose, yet can be extremely dangerous or harmful to specific individuals. For example, sodium valproate, used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorders and, in rare cases, migraines, can be used by the vast majority without ill-effect. However, it has also been linked with birth defects and learning difficulties in children so should not be prescribed to pregnant women. Lariam could perhaps be placed in the same category; a malaria drug given to members of the armed forces and those travelling and working in malaria hot spots. As with sodium valproate, it can be effective in a number of individuals, but others, especially those with a history of mental illness, can suffer very serious side effects.

Some drugs are not necessarily dangerous in their own right, but can present problems if they are labelled incorrectly in terms of dosage/strength, or if they are prescribed past their use by dates.

Investigating a defective or dangerous drug allegation is a very specialist legal task and not one that all solicitor firms can undertake. Thankfully you can have Russell Worth on your side, fighting for your rights every step of the way on a No Win, No Fee basis.