A new electronic system is being backed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Medical Association (AMA) and many more groups and manufacturers. The new system will notify physicians electronically if a drug or medical device has been linked to new dangers.

The system is called the Health Care Notification Network (HCNN). The HCNN is expected to begin operation next month. Over 100,000 physicians have already signed up to the service.

HCNN is a free service offered to physicians that is being funded by drug and medical device manufacturers. The service will deliver the same information that is currently delivered to physicians via the postal service. The new electronic system is intended to deliver the information quickly to physicians, which can potentially help to save lives. The information will be delivered via e-mail.

Defective drug attorneys are working to help support those who have suffered from serious adverse reactions due to faulty prescription medications or medical devices.

The recent recall of the heart drug Digitek is causing problems for consumers. Digitek is a generic drug made by Actavis Totowa that treats congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. It was recalled because of the possibility that some tablets were twice the thickness, containing twice the approved dose.

Though Actavis Totowa recommends users switch to the brand-name drug Lanoxin, many pharmacies no longer stock it and some insurers do not cover it. If Lanoxin is not available, it is recommended users take digoxin. However, switching to substitutes or abruptly stopping use of Digitek can cause serious health problems.

If you take Digitek and are unsure what to do, talk to your doctor. 

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug or product, contact the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP today, at 1-800-460-0606.

Ethex Corporation has expanded its recall of morphine tablets on June 16, 2008. The recalled tablets potentially contain twice the dose of morphine that is on the prescription drug label.

Ethex Corporation originally recalled a single lot of morphine tablets on June 9, 2008. The recall has been expanded to include both 60 mg and 30 mg lots of extended release morphine tablets.

The recall expansion is being described as a precaution by Ethex Corporation. There have not been any reports of adverse reactions linked to the tablets.

Serious adverse reactions can develop due to an overdose of an opioid medication, like morphine. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include respiratory distress, low-blood pressure and hypotension.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed the following recalled lots: 30mg Tablet/NDC # 58177-320-04: Lots 75090, 77846, 77847, 80048, 83320, 89661, 89665, 90252 through 90258, and 93284 and 60mg Tablet/NDC # 58177-330-04: Lots 91762 (previously reported), 75091, 75092, 77848 through 77851, 82517, 82518, 83333, 83817, 83862, 84111, 84112, 84315, 84900, 85326, 85335, 85807, 86270 through 86276, 87723, 87939, 88007, 89083, 89668, 89669, 89821, 90260 through 90272, and 91763 through 91765.

Defective drug attorneys are working to prevent the serious illnesses and injuries that can result from faulty prescription drugs.