Thomas Grande has been appointed co-lead class counsel in Helbig v. Interstate Pharmacy Corporation, a class action filed on behalf of Hawaii nursing home residents who were sold recycled pills by a drug distribution company.
The case, which is pending in First Circuit Court, on Oahu, alleges that the drug company was deceptive in reselling medication that had been returned for destruction from nursing home residents who had died or whose prescription had been changed. This may have endangered the health and safety of the nursing home residents because the distributed medication may have been expired or contaminated.
The class is estimated to have approximately 4,500 persons, almost all of who were elderly and infirm. The case seeks a return of the monies paid by the nursing home residents and punitive damages.
"The actions of this company placed profits over patient safety," Grande said. "These drugs were recycled solely to make more money by selling the same pill twice. In addition, the drug company did not keep records about which seniors got the used pills," Grande noted.
To read about this case, go to http://starbulletin.com/2003/09/18/news/story10.html
For more information about the class action, go to http://ipcdrugclassaction.com