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Warnings about Over the Counter Drugs
A recent report by the All Party Parliamentary Drugs Misuse Group (APPDMG) has revealed the dangers of addiction people face by using over-the-counter drugs for pain relief.
The study, which investigated the physical dependance and addiction to prescription and over the counter medication, concluded that the addictions to over the counter medicines are related to products containing codeine.
In the British Medical Journal in 2007, Chris Ford and Beth Good claimed that the over-the-counter painkiller misuse was the 'often forgotten' affliction.
Richard Blair, a partner for WBW Solicitors and specialist in clinical negligence explains the legal implications for people who find themselves addicted to OTC drugs;
'The Consumer Protection Act of 1987 incorporates the EU Product Liability Directive into English law and has made product liability claims simpler to pursue. Those who supply products or services to consumers from within the European Union have to comply with the terms of the act.
Consumers can make a product liability claim against the producer of a product if they can prove it has caused personal injury. The act creates so called 'Strict liability'. The consumer does not have to prove the producer was negligent provided they can prove the product was defective and the defect caused the injury.
That is true of medicines which cause illness to the person who takes them but it also applies to many other types of injury as well. It also applies to produtcs that cause injury at a place of work.
Liability can arise from four different stages in the creation and sale of the product. These include the design and manufacturing stage. Liability can also arise because the manufacturer fails to warn about the danger.
If you think you have been injured by a product you have bought or which you have used at your work place you should take legal advice right away. Generally you only have three years in which to start court action. So it is best not to delay taking advice.'