Fresenius Profits Drop Following GranuFlo/NaturaLyte Recall
By John Curran
For more than six months in 2012, Fresenius Medical Care lost sales of kidney dialysis chemicals thanks to an FDA Class 1 recall due to GranuFlo heart failure side effects. However, the income levels related to that and its own units certainly do not seem to be hurting.
Note that the company told its own kidney dialysis centers in November 2011 that GranuFlo and NaturaLyte could lead to heart problems and that technicians should stop using them. As the largest provider, it could no longer get revenue from Medicare and Medicaid because of this. Even without product sales from drugs with NaturaLyte cardiac arrest conditions, there was still substantial growth.
That continued into 2012, although data is only available up to the 3rd quarter, or until September 2012. In that case, the kidney dialysis unit in the U.S. still grew in sales by four percent over the same three quarters in 2011. That does not, of course, include any forthcoming plaintiffs’ claims filed by NaturaLyte lawsuit attorneys. It should indicate that the company can handle any potential jury awards or settlements. It is good news for people who have dealt with GranuFlo heart failure side effects.
Depressing as it may be, a company’s financial health is a key indicator in terms of how it will deal with claims. If Fresenius Medical Care remains profitable, side effects victims will benefit in an ironic fashion. Hopefully, if the FDA picks up its game, it will also lead to others not having to deal with the dangers of NaturaLyte cardiac arrest risks. Kidney dialysis will always be somewhat problematic since it comes as a result of organ failure, but that does not mean that companies should add to the ordeal by using faulty products and putting their patients in danger.
Fresenius Medical Care was willing to let tens of thousands of clients face problems with heart failure, many of whom may not even realize it. People who have been affected by NaturaLyte or GranuFlo should seek legal assistance as they consider whether or not to pursue a lawsuit. A free consultation with a NaturaLyte lawsuit attorney is available at the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Devastated families may not have many options for recourse, but a legal remedy could provide some assistance, so act now.
Updated February 19th, 2013
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