Heart Bypass Surgery Drug Causing Kidney/Renal Failure Suspended; Anapol Schwartz Attorney — Representing Victims — Says Situation Could Be Next Baycol

Business Wire, Nov 6, 2007

PHILADELPHIA -- According to James Ronca of law firm Anapol, Schwartz, Weiss, Cohan, Feldman & Smalley, P.C., Bayer AG's announcement today that it would suspend sales of blood-clotting drug Trasylol([R]), could lead to a situation in which it becomes the next Baycol. Trasylol([R]) is used in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures and found to cause kidney/renal failure.

Ronca represents more than a dozen families and alleged victims in this growing area of litigation, and recently filed a Trasylol([R]) lawsuit - a wrongful death complaint in Philadelphia.

"This should have been prevented. Again, we have an example of a highly expensive drug that was put on the market and pushed for too broad of a patient population, before enough studies were done on its safety, and when there were less expensive competing drugs available," says Ronca, who leads advocacy initiatives to raise awareness about Trasylol's[R] side effects.

Trasylol[R] is administered by an anesthesiologist during CABG surgery to limit bleeding, and affected patients typically experience kidney/renal failure symptoms within 48 hours. Many, however, are unaware they have received the drug, complicating diagnosis.

"This announcement should educate the public about the dangers associated with this drug, and open the door for victims, and those who don't realize they are victims, to receive remuneration for their injuries," stresses Ronca, who has served as counsel to victims in product liability cases involving Baycol, LOTRONEX, hormone replacement therapy and breast implants.

Anapol, Schwartz, Weiss, Cohan, Feldman & Smalley is a personal injury firm with law offices in Philadelphia, Reading, Media, Fairless Hills and Haverford, Pa., as well as Cherry Hill, N.J. The firm is a multi-faceted practice with a tradition of excellence in medical malpractice law, pharmaceutical mass tort, toxic tort, class actions, products liability, automobile, securities and wrongful termination litigation. Since its founding in 1977, the firm has grown to over 30 attorneys, and compiled a record of success exceptional among its peers.