Avandia is a diabetes drug that has been linked with heart attacks, during the last several years it has been linked with approximately 83,000 heart attacks. According to a government report that was released February 20,2010, GlaxoSmithKline is the manufacturer of Avandia and might have known the risks for years, but kept this information from the public.
The report by the Senate Finance Committee condemned the Food and Drug Administration, saying they are the federal agency that regulates medications, along with food and tobacco, but ignored the safety concerns that were found by staff members. If you or a family member has been injured due to use of this drug please contact Ehline Law to discuss the claim.
The Senate report details from the February 20, 2010 report that were reported on CNN included:
- July 2007 FDA scientists found Avandia was linked with about 83,000 heart attacks after the release of the drug to the market.
- Had GlaxoSmithKline taken the risk of heart attack when the issue was first presented it is possible some heart attacks could have been avoided.
- GlaxoSmithKline attempted to undermine derogatory information about Avandia. Executives attempted to intimidate independent physicians. They focused their strategies on minimizing the findings on Avandia and the link with increased cardiovascular risks.
They downplayed findings on a competing drug that may have reduced the cardiovascular risk. One example of this that investigators found is knowledge that GlaxoSmithKline publically condemned findings of a verified outside study that confirmed the cardiovascular risk.
- October 2008 two FDA officials sent a clear warning that there was evidence of Avandia causing an increased risk of heart attack or heart failure when compared to Pioglitazone, a rival drug. According to senators the trial is still underway and comparing the two drugs would be unethical.