Avastin, a Genetech manufactured pharmaceutical, failed to show a significant effect on preventing the recurrence of colon cancer and may be subject to a products liability claim.

Our personal injury attorneys in San Diego help injured persons and cases of product liability, so we are familiar with instances such as this one.  Drug makers should release all information—including hazardous side effects and potential product liability—to injured persons before they begin medical treatment with a certain pharmaceutical.

Genetech’s drug test found Avastin to be a defective product and now consumers know this.  Avastin is already a best-selling form of cancer treatment.  A successful result in this trial could have allowed injured persons to find new uses for the drug, a move that would have most likely boost sales for the drug maker by billions of dollars a year.

In 2008, Genetech saw $2.7 billion in the sale of Avastin for just the United States alone.  If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives the green light, injured persons can use the pharmaceutical to treat late-stage colon, breast and lung cancers.  But the latest reports indicate that trials have shown the drug can only increase life expectancy in those with personal injuries up to a few months.

The companies did not release any data from the trial, saying the details would be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, which begins in May, 2009.  They only reported that the trial did not meet regulation standards, meaning Avastin did not reduce the risk of cancer returning by the target level.

Our firm’s San Diego personal injury attorneys think that tests on pharmaceuticals such as Avastin are beneficial for consumers because it helps them make informed decisions and avoid dangerous prescription drugs.

If you have experienced a personal injury, we encourage you to research all forms of medical treatment before deciding which drug could help you the best.

Call us now or click here for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced personal injury attorney as to how we may help you at 1-858-551-2090.  We look forward to providing good advice to help you make smart decisions about your case in either English or Spanish.