In Pursuit of Justice for Sickle Cell Patients
Fighting Pfizer: Oxbryta Lawsuit Seeks Compensation for Patients Who Used the Recalled Medication Before Company Disclosed Risks
The NAACP and Singleton Schreiber share a deep commitment to the well-being and empowerment of communities of color, with a particular focus on supporting those who have long faced significant challenges to their health and safety, often at the hands of powerful corporations prioritizing profit over people.
Oxbryta Approved Before Trials Were Conducted
Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Oxbryta, also called Voxelotor, was designed to treat this condition by restoring red blood cells to a normal shape, reducing damage to the body’s tissues. Oxbryta received accelerated approval from the FDA in 2019, before full-scale trials could be conducted. The drug was originally manufactured by Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), which was subsequently acquired by Pfizer in 2022.
Studies revealed alarming safety concerns, including a higher-than-anticipated number of deaths and an increased risk of vaso-occlusive crises. Pfizer voluntarily withdrew the drug from the market in September 2024 and also discontinued its ongoing clinical trials, concluding that continued use would pose more risks than benefits for patients. Prior to the recall, Pfizer charged between $70,000 and $100,000 per year for Oxbryta.
These events have shattered the trust of many in the sickle cell community, leaving them to confront the harsh reality that a medication meant to improve their lives may have put them at greater risk. By joining the lawsuit, affected patients and their families can seek justice and hold Pfizer accountable for the harm they have caused.
If you took Oxbryta to treat sickle cell disease, join Singleton Schrieber’s Oxbryta lawsuit against Pfizer today.
Oxbryta Lawsuits: Individual cases, Not Class Action
Unlike some high-profile drug litigations that proceed as class actions, Oxbryta lawsuits are currently being filed as individual cases—also known as a mass tort. This approach allows each patient and family to file their own lawsuit and seek compensation that reflects their unique injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In a class action, all claims are combined, and any settlement is split among members, typically resulting in smaller payouts for each person. In contrast, handling Oxbryta litigation as individual cases means every plaintiff’s circumstances are considered separately, allowing for compensation that more accurately matches the impact the drug may have had on their lives.
Our attorneys will continue to fight to keep these cases separate so that each client has the best chance of obtaining compensation that fully addresses their individual circumstances.
Risk of Vaso-Occlusive Crisis
One plaintiff in an Oxbryta lawsuit against Pfizer alleges that he experienced “swelling, pain, and other debilitating symptoms” and “eventually suffered a vaso-occlusive crisis and a stroke.” The plaintiff was in the hospital for at least two months as a result of the stroke, and was still hospitalized when he filed the lawsuit.
Vaso-occlusive crises can have long-term consequences, and can sometimes be fatal. Another plaintiff is a widow whose husband tragically died after his complications from Oxbryta, including vaso-occlusive crisis, were not diagnosed and treated right away.
Drug Recalls vs. Removals
According to the FDA, drug recalls are quite frequent, and almost all drug recalls are voluntary and initiated by the manufacturer. This means that recalled pharmaceuticals can often remain on pharmacy shelves even after they are recalled. In this case, Pfizer took the extra step of a Removal from the market, likely because of the high safety risks they discovered linked to Oxbryta.
The FDA says “manufacturers and importers are required to make a report to FDA of any correction or removal of a medical device(s) if the correction or removal was initiated to reduce a risk to health posed by the device or to remedy a violation of the act caused by the device which may present a risk to health.”
As Pfizer said, Oxbryta was voluntarily withdrawn from the market due to safety concerns, after it concluded “the overall benefit of OXBRYTA no longer outweighs the risk in the approved sickle cell patient population,” specifically highlighting increased vaso-occlusive crises and fatalities.
Join the fight for change
If you or someone you love took Oxbryta (Voxelotor) for sickle cell disease and experienced serious complications, you may be entitled to compensation. Pfizer has issued a global recall of this medication due to emerging data showing increased risks of severe adverse events, including death. Contact the lawyers at Singleton Schreiber today to file a claim.
Singleton Schreiber is leading a campaign to support sickle cell disease patients and loved ones of those who have suffered adverse health effects from the use of Oxbryta. The lawsuit against Pfizer is a pivotal legal battle aimed at holding a major corporation accountable for their gross misconduct.
The lawsuit emphasizes that Pfizer not only failed to disclose the known risks of their products but actively concealed this information from the public in the interest of profit. We understand the devastating impact Oxbryta has had on sickle cell patients. Our experienced attorneys are committed to holding Pfizer accountable and helping you seek the justice you deserve.
I think it’s rare you get a moment to change the world, and this [case] is one of those moments.
- Letitia Johnson, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber's Southeastern Region
Stronger Together
By partnering with the NAACP, we believe we can amplify our efforts to reach those affected, provide them with the information and legal support they need, and create an environment of safer products for all. If you or a loved one have taken Oxbryta to treat your Sickle Cell disease, please fill out the form below. You may be eligible for compensation even if you did not experience any negative side effects or symptoms.
NAACP Oxbryta
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