Gadolinium Home About Gadolinium Injuries and Warnings Who's to Blame Your Legal Rights FAQs Free Case Evaluation
Last updated March 26, 2008

WHO'S TO BLAME?

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis
  • The drug companies failed to adequately test gadolinium dyes
  • The drug companies failed to warn the public about the life-threatening risks of gadolinium dyes
  • Drug companies often unlawfully promote their drugs for uses not approved by the FDA
  • The drug companies placed their profits over patient safety

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Hundreds of people have gone in for routine MRI or MRA procedures and ended up with a potentially fatal disease that has no cure. Patients are now being warned about the dangerous risks involved with MRI and MRA contrast dyes. But before the FDA-mandated warnings were issued, patients were routinely exposed to these life-threatening risks without any warnings at all.

Why did this happen? Who's to blame?

In short, the drug companies are to blame.

Competition in the pharmaceutical world is fierce. Drug companies are so eager to get the next drug out on the market, they are often willing to overlook and sometimes even cover up, problems with the drug. New drugs are introduced prematurely without adequate testing and warnings, resulting in tragic losses that could have been avoided if the drug company had taken more time to test and develop the drug, and provided adequate warnings about its use.

Gadolinium-based contrast dyes are no exception. The pharmaceutical companies failed to adequately test the dyes before and after they were on the market, and they failed to warn patients and doctors about the risks involved with using the dyes. They placed profits over safety and hundreds of patients were harmed as a result.

It is illegal for drug companies to promote their drugs for uses not approved by the FDA. Despite this, it is common practice among drug companies to promote the off-label use of their drugs. Aggressive marketing techniques are used on doctors and other healthcare providers in an effort to increase sales for the pharmaceutical companies. Gadolinium contrast dyes are not FDA-approved for use with MRAs. However, they are sometimes used to improve the MRA image. Interestingly, an MRA often requires using up to 3 times more contrast dye than an MRI. This use clearly brings in substantial income for the drug companies. Whether or not they have promoted such use remains to be seen.

The Law Firm of Howard L. Nations represents people who have been harmed from exposure to gadolinium-based dyes. If you or someone you know has developed NSF or NFD symptoms after an MRI or MRA using contrast dyes, please contact our offices for a free case review by one of our pharmaceutical attorneys.