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Avandia Maker GlaxoSmithKline Knew of Heart Attack Risks
After a two year inquiry, the U.S. Senate released a report on February 20, 2010 stating that GlaxoSmithKline knew of possible heart attack risks tied to Avandia, a popular medication manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline to treat Type 2 diabetes, years before such evidence became public.
The two Senators who released the report are also asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) why it allowed clinical trials of Avandia to continue even after the agency estimated that Avandia caused 83,000 heart attacks between 1999 and 2007. In 2007, the FDA oversight board voted 8 to 7 to allow Avandia to remain in the market. A warning was placed on Avandia by GlaxoSmithKline stating that Avandia may increase the risk of heart attacks.
The two Senators found that, instead of sufficiently warning patients and the FDA of its concerns in a timely manner, GlaxoSmithKline tried to downplay findings that Avandia could increase the risk of heart attacks.
Avandia was linked to 304 deaths during the third quarter of 2009, ranking first among all prescribed drugs in the number of serious, disabling and fatal problems reported to the FDA. Hundreds of thousands of people still take Avandia, though top endocrinologists have sworn off the drug.
Today, Avandia carries a black box warning, which is the most serious safety warning, cautioning that the diabetes drug may cause or worsen heart failure and may potentially increase the risk of heart attack.
Avandia Lawsuits
This revelation comes as hundreds of lawsuits challenging Avandia’s warnings are working their way through the courts. On October 16, 2007, a multidistrict litigation was created by Order of the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to monitor and promote efficient conduct of the various litigations.
Avandia Legal Advice
If you or a loved one have used Avandia and have suffered a heart attack, congestive heart failure, any heart complications or any other serious injury, you should contact one of our Avandia injury lawyers immediately to discuss your legal rights and options. You may be able to file an Avandia lawsuit.
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