Oxbryta (voxelotor) was approved in 2019 to treat sickle cell disease — a devastating, often life-shortening condition that disproportionately affects Black Americans. In September 2024, Pfizer voluntarily withdrew the drug worldwide after post-marketing data revealed a higher rate of painful vaso-occlusive crises and an elevated risk of death in patients taking it. Families who lost loved ones, and patients who suffered serious complications, are now pursuing wrongful-death and personal-injury claims.
The worldwide withdrawal of Oxbryta in September 2024 — five years after its launch — has prompted personal-injury and wrongful-death claims against Pfizer and the predecessor company that developed the drug.
Oxbryta received FDA accelerated approval in 2019 based on a surrogate marker — improvements in hemoglobin levels — rather than direct clinical outcomes like reduced pain crises or longer survival. When long-term safety data was finally collected after launch, it showed the drug was associated with more frequent and severe vaso-occlusive crises and an increased risk of death.
Plaintiffs allege Pfizer (and its predecessor, Global Blood Therapeutics) understood, or should have understood, the safety signals earlier than they were disclosed — and continued aggressive marketing to a vulnerable patient population while questions remained unanswered.
Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans, the vast majority of whom are Black. Cases here involve longstanding patterns of inadequate research, monitoring, and post-market surveillance in a historically underserved community.
Because Oxbryta was withdrawn so recently, many affected families don't yet know they may have a claim. State-law filing deadlines apply, and early action helps preserve evidence — including medication records, treatment notes, and cause-of-death documentation.
You may have a claim if any of the following apply:
Not sure if your situation qualifies? Request a free, confidential review or call +1 (530) 349-7939.
We work with firms experienced in pharmaceutical mass tort litigation — attorneys prepared to investigate Pfizer's pre-approval data and post-market surveillance failures.
Sickle cell families have rarely been listened to. Our intake team takes time to understand the full medical and personal context — without rushing through a script.
Oxbryta claims are handled on contingency. You pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless your case results in a settlement or verdict.
Settlements help families bear the cost of medical bills, funerals, and lost income — and force accountability for a pattern of inadequate care for sickle cell patients.
It takes less than two minutes. There's no obligation. If your case qualifies, we'll connect you directly with an attorney handling Oxbryta claims.
