Rottenstein Law Group Curious About Outcome of Upcoming FDA Panel Meeting to Discuss Fosamax Link to Throat Cancer

(New York, NY July 25, 2011) The Rottenstein Law Group, which represents clients with claims stemming from the severe side effects of the drug Fosamax, is curious as to what the outcome will be of an upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel being convened in September to discuss whether Fosamax increases the incidence of throat cancer.

According to an article published by Bloomberg on July 21, the FDA will be meeting on September 9 to discuss the long-term benefits and risks associated with drugs used to treat osteoporosis. The FDA is “reviewing oral medicines to combat bone weakening...for evidence they cause esophageal cancer and say patients should still take the drugs.” Approximately 40 million people in the United States either have osteoporosis or are at high risk for developing it due to insufficient bone mass, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The FDA previously announced that the panel will discuss the drugs known as bisphosphonates, which have been linked to a rare type of thigh fracture and osteonecrosis of the jaw, or jawbone death when they are used for extended periods of time.

Last year, the FDA modified its warning labels on the drugs and said that doctors should evaluate their patients to determine if extended use of bisphosphonate drugs is necessary for patients who have been taking the drugs for longer than five years. Bisphosphonates are used by approximately 5 million Americans and have been shown to increase bone mass in order to stop or slow the progression of osteoporosis. There have been at least 300 reports of the rare thigh bone fracture in patients taking the drugs for longer than 5 years, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The FDA has commented that it is unsure whether bisphosphonates are the cause of the fractures or if the drugs have a finite duration of use. Some researchers speculate that prolonged use of the drugs might cause bones to become brittle and more susceptible to fractures, according to the Journal piece.

The Rottenstein Law Group advises anyone with a friend or family member who has been prescribed Fosamax or another osteoporosis drug to recommend to that person that he or she consult a physician immediately, then speak to a qualified Fosamax lawyer. The Rottenstein Law Group lawyers have a total of more than 25 years of experience fighting for the rights of clients who have suffered harm due to the negligence of powerful corporations. Affected individuals are advised to keep apprised of the latest news concerning the Fosamax femur fracture lawsuits by checking the Fosamax Femur Fracture Lawsuit Information Center for updated information. The site is equipped with easy-to-use social media features which will enable users to spread the word about the dangers of Fosamax.

About the Rottenstein Law Group
The Rottenstein Law Group is a New York-based law firm that represents clients in mass tort actions. The firm was founded by Rochelle Rottenstein, a lawyer with over two decades of experience in compassionate representation of clients in consumer product injury, mass tort, and class action law suits. For more information, please visit their Web site, or call (888) 9-ROT-LAW.

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