NAACP and Singleton Schreiber Announce Official Partnership to Pursue Justice for Sickle Cell Patients Harmed by Pfizer’s Oxbryta
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI – The NAACP and Singleton Schreiber are proud to announce an official partnership to investigate cases involving the recalled sickle cell medication Oxbryta (Voxelotor), aiming to secure justice and compensation for patients adversely affected by the drug’s undisclosed safety risks.
Sickle cell disease predominantly impacts communities of color and poses significant health challenges to millions worldwide. Oxbryta, approved by the FDA in 2019 under accelerated conditions before full trials were completed, was intended to improve patient outcomes by normalizing red blood cell counts. However, troubling studies revealed that the drug carried severe potential side effects and long-term health impacts, including increased risks of vaso-occlusive crises and deaths. Pfizer, which acquired Oxbryta’s original manufacturer Global Blood Therapeutics in 2022, withdrew the medication from the market in September 2024 due to these risks. By then, Oxbryta had been in use for nearly five years, long enough for significant harm to have already occurred.
“The NAACP has long been committed to protecting the health and safety of communities of color,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “The troubling impacts of this medication and the circumstances surrounding Oxbryta’s approval and subsequent recall highlight the urgent need to hold corporations accountable when they bypass normal protocols and place profits over people’s lives.”
Singleton Schreiber is honored to serve as legal co-counsel alongside the NAACP, guiding affected patients through the complex legal process. Oxbryta cases are being filed as individual claims ensuring each patient’s unique experience and health impacts are recognized.
“Too often, vulnerable communities suffer in silence when corporations fail to disclose critical safety information,” said Letitia Johnson, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber’s Southeastern Region. “By partnering with the NAACP, we are stronger in our fight to support sickle cell patients and their families, seeking the justice they deserve.”
Individuals who took Oxbryta and suffered serious complications, including vaso-occlusive crises, strokes, or death, may be entitled to compensation. Even those who did not experience negative side effects are encouraged to come forward for better understanding of the impact of this medication.
Together, Singleton Schreiber and the NAACP are committed to amplifying awareness, providing legal support, and challenging the systemic issues that allowed these risks to go undisclosed for so long.
For more information or to see if you qualify to join this pivotal legal action, visit https://naacpoxbrytalawsuit.com.
Singleton Schreiber is a client-centered law firm, focusing on mass torts and multi-district litigation, fire litigation, personal injury/wrongful death, civil rights, environmental law, insurance bad faith, tribal law, and sex abuse/trafficking. Home to the nation’s largest fire litigation practice, the firm has represented more than 30,000 wildfire and explosion victims and played leading roles in cases across the country. Singleton Schreiber is also pursuing groundbreaking cases against Tesla for its misrepresented autopilot system and serving in leadership in the national hair relaxer litigation, as well as advocating for survivors of abuse involving major hotel chains. With deep experience in complex claims, the firm is committed to holding corporations accountable and helping individuals, families, and communities recover.
About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.
