Hogens Berman Sobol Shapiro: Vytorin and zetia makers settle class – action lawsuit with a proposed payout of $41.5 million dollars to it’s victims. This lawsuit settles claims regarding the safety and efficacy of popular prescription drugs.

Boston – Drug manufacturing giants Merck & Co. and Schering – Plough Corp were forced to settle allegations the companies suppressed critical information about the efficacy and safety of two of their prescription drugs vytorin and zetia. Attorneys representing consumers and  third party payors announced the proposal, as well as similar claims with 35 states and a claim for $5.4 million with the district of Columbia.

There is a common perception among the public, that illegal drugs pose a bigger problem than drugs prescribed in a hospital. However, that’s not the reality…according to Dr. Ronald Lim, hospitals are the new breeding ground for drug misuse.

Many of the people who suffer from  addiction, no longer need dealers. They can simply get high on drugs commonly found in their medicine cabinets. So widespread is this practice that Dr. Lim calls it “an epidemic.” According to the U.S. Department of Health Services “Prescription drug abuse has almost doubled from 2000 to  2007.”

This problem has recieved a much needed spot light, primarily because of priscription drug misuse in the recent deaths of Pop Legend Michael Jackson and high profile celeb Anna Nicole Smith.

There seems to be no end in sight for the many phshical and emotional disorders that prescription drugs now treat. Opioids and benzoiazepines if used properly will treat anxiety, dpression, insomnia, stree, panic attacks and even pain – If used incorrectly, they can lead to  drug addiction.

Dr. Lim says that the public needs to change its’ perception about prescription drugs… many of which affect the mind, behaviour or mood much like street drugs. In fact, these priscription drugs can even be more addictive because most who become addicted never thought it would happen., after all, if their doctors prescribed it, how addictive could it be…

What are Predatory Drugs?

Rohypnol, Ketamine, and GHB have gained notoriety as drugs used to facilitate sexual assault, adding an urgency to law enforcement efforts to pursue traffickers of these drugs. Rohypnol, Ketamine, and GHB are the main drugs known as “Predatory Drugs”.

The Dangers of Predatory Drugs

Predatory Drugs render the victim incapable of resisting sexual advances. Sexual Assaults facilitated by these drugs can be difficult to prosecute or even recognize because Victims may not be aware that they ingested a drug at all. Predatory Drugs are invisible and odorless when dissolved in water. They are somewhat salty tasting, but are indiscernible when dissolved in beverages such as sodas, juice, liquor, or beer.

Fast Facts: Predatory Drug
Due to memory problems induced by Predatory Drugs, the victim may not be aware of the attack until 8-12 hours after it occurred.

More Information on Predatory Drugs

Predatory Drugs are metabolized quickly, so there may be little physical evidence to support the claim that the drugs were used to facilitate an assault. Memory impairment caused by the drugs also eliminates evidence about the attack. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and those you care about from predatory drugs at www.rainn.org or www.911rape.org