Oxbryta was prescribed to patients with sickle cell disease, a genetic condition that disproportionately affects individuals of African descent. In the United States, this means that the communities most likely to have been prescribed Oxbryta—and therefore most likely to have experienced its undisclosed adverse effects—are predominantly African American patients who trusted this medication to help manage their challenging condition.
The recent removal of Oxbryta from the market due to safety concerns has left many patients wondering whether the side effects they experienced were part of the undisclosed risks that led to the drug’s withdrawal. If you or a loved one was prescribed Oxbryta and experienced unexpected complications, worsening symptoms, or increased VOCs, you may be eligible for compensation from the drug’s manufacturer. At the Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, we have considerable experience in Oxbryta injury litigation and are prepared to fight for justice for your family.
The Demographics of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. Under normal circumstances, red blood cells are round and flexible, allowing them to move easily through blood vessels. However, in people with sickle cell disease, red blood cells become crescent or “sickle” shaped and rigid. These misshapen cells can block blood flow, leading to pain, organ damage, and other serious complications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickle cell disease affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. More than 90% of those affected are non-Hispanic Black or African American, while an estimated 3%–9% are Hispanic or Latino.
Sickle cell disease occurs in about 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births, compared to about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic American births. Additionally, about 1 in 13 Black or African American babies is born with sickle cell trait, meaning they inherit a sickle cell gene from only one parent.
The estimated life expectancy of those with sickle cell disease in the United States is more than 20 years shorter than the average expected lifespan. Furthermore, many people with sickle cell disease do not receive the recommended healthcare screenings and treatments, creating additional barriers to managing this already challenging condition.
African Americans Are at a High Risk of Adverse Oxbryta Effects
Given the demographic concentration of sickle cell disease among African Americans, this community bears the heaviest burden of Oxbryta’s risks. Oxbryta was marketed as a breakthrough treatment for sickle cell disease, offering hope to patients who had long struggled with limited therapeutic options. The medication worked by binding to hemoglobin molecules and stabilizing them in an oxygenated state, theoretically preventing the sickling process that causes so much pain and organ damage.
For many African American families dealing with sickle cell disease, Oxbryta represented a chance at improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations. However, the promise of relief came with hidden risks that patients were not adequately warned about. Clinical data that emerged after the drug’s approval revealed concerning patterns of adverse effects, including an increased occurrence of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs)—the very complication the medication was supposed to prevent.
VOCs involve blockages in blood vessels caused by sickled red blood cells, leading to excruciating pain, potential organ damage, and an increased risk of stroke. According to the European Medicines Agency, patients in the Oxbryta clinical trials had a higher occurrence of VOCs while taking the medication than they did before they started treatment.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Pfizer for Oxbryta Complications
For African American patients and families who trusted Oxbryta to help manage sickle cell disease, these revelations represent not just a medical setback but a breach of trust. Many may have experienced worsening symptoms, increased hospitalizations, or other complications while taking the medication.
However, there are opportunities for justice and accountability. If you or a loved one experienced adverse effects while taking Oxbryta, you may have grounds for legal action against Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant that acquired the medication’s developer in 2022.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to provide comprehensive information about their medications’ potential dangers. When companies fail to disclose known risks or continue marketing medications despite evidence of harm, they can be held legally responsible for the injuries that patients experience.
Are You Eligible for an Oxbryta Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file an Oxbryta lawsuit if you experienced worsening sickle cell symptoms, increased vaso-occlusive crises, hospitalization, and other serious complications while taking the medication. An Oxbryta lawsuit attorney can help you navigate the legal system, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case against Pfizer. They can also connect you with medical experts who can testify about the link between your injuries and the medication, strengthening your claim.
Compensation Available in Oxbryta Injury Lawsuits
Victims of Oxbryta’s undisclosed risks may be entitled to compensation for the harm they suffered. Potential damages may include:
- Current Medical Expenses: You can recover compensation for all hospital bills, emergency room visits, doctor appointments, diagnostic tests, additional medications, and any other medical treatments directly related to complications you experienced while taking Oxbryta.
- Lost Income: If Oxbryta-related complications forced you to miss work, required extended hospital stays, or prevented you from maintaining your normal employment, you may recover the wages and benefits you lost during this period.
- Reduced Earning Potential: When Oxbryta complications result in permanent disabilities or chronic health conditions that limit your ability to work at full capacity or pursue career advancement, you can seek compensation for the long-term impact on your earning ability.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensation addresses the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and overall diminished quality of life that resulted from experiencing unexpected adverse effects while taking Oxbryta.
- Future Medical Costs: You may receive compensation for anticipated ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation services, or long-term medical monitoring that will be necessary due to the complications caused by taking Oxbryta.
Trust Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC to Fight for Your Rights
If you belong to a demographic group that faced heightened risks from Oxbryta, the manufacturer’s failure to warn about these dangers may entitle you to substantial compensation. At Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, we are pursuing justice for patients across all affected populations who were harmed by this medication, holding Pfizer accountable for concealing critical safety information. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 to discuss your situation and explore your legal options with an Oxbryta lawsuit attorney.