On March 25^{th, California regulators delayed the electronic tracking of prescription drugs for two years. The California State Board of Pharmacy voted 12-0 to allow prescription drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies an additional two years to begin electronically tracking prescription drugs from the manufacturer to the patient.The requirement was already delayed by the California State Legislation in 2007. Now, the pharmaceutical industry has until January 1, 2011. The delay is intended to allow the pharmaceutical industry time to set up computer systems that would comply with the first ever requirement to track prescriptions.}

The requirement was instituted in California after a recall of fake Lipitor.

There are defective drug attorneys currently working on cases that involve the serious and fatal illnesses that result from defective drugs.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on March 14^{th that it is taking action to stop the import of Heparin into the United States. The active ingredient of Heparin is manufactured by Scientific Protein Laboratories LLC., which has headquarters in both Wisconsin and China.}

A major recall of Heparin was announced in January, 2008. Since then, hundreds of allergic reactions and at least 19 deaths have been reported in association with Heparin use.

A spokesperson for the FDA has announced that since the end of February, no new deaths have been reported due to adverse reactions to Heparin.

The Heparin that is being stopped at the borders is manufactured by Baxter International, Inc. of Wisconsin. Baxter reports that they have not isolated the contamination, so it cannot determine if the contaminated Heparin was manufactured in their Chinese facility.

Defective drug attorneys are currently at work to help those who have faced devastating consequences due to contaminated Heparin.

On March 1, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a third major recall of Fentanyl Pain Patches.

Actavis South Atlantic LLC, which sells generic versions of Duragesic fentanyl pain patches, voluntarily recalled all lots of fentanyl transdermal system CII pain patches on the market with expiration dates between May 2009 and December 2009.

This third recall of Fentanyl pain patches is an expansion of an initial recall of Actavis Fentanyl pain patches that occurred on February 17th. The original recall only affected fourteen lots.

Actavis states that this third recall is a voluntary measure to prevent any exposure to Fentanyl gel that may result from damaged pain patches that were not already recalled. The Fentanyl pain patches in question have a fold-over defect, which could potentially cause Fentanyl gel to leak.

The only Fentanyl patches that are not affected by this recall are those sold by Actavis in Europe.

Exposure to Fentanyl gel is very dangerous and can result in serious adverse and fatal effects, such as respiratory depression and overdose. Fentanyl is a potent opioid and should only be prescribed to those suffering from chronic pain and who are in need of around the clock narcotic medication.

Do not use damaged Fentanyl pain patches under any circumstance. If exposure to Fentanyl gel does occur, do not use soap, but thoroughly rise the site with water.

Actavis South Atlantic LLC was previously known as Abrika Pharmaceuticals Inc. Some of the recalled patches may still be labeled Abrika Pharmaceuticals Inc., although the outer carton does have the Actavis logo.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious or fatal illness due to damaged Duragesic or Fentanyl pain patches, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Duragesic attorney at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606. An experienced Fentanyl attorney will be able to evaluate if you are eligible to seek compensation.