James T. Capretz Products Liability Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Avandia News

Friday, September 10, 2010 by James T. Capretz

Avandia News

On Monday September 6, 2010, the prestigious British Medical
Journal published an article stating that GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s diabetes drug Avandia
should not have ever been on the market and it also called for the immediate
withdrawal of the drug.

Back in July, the UK Commission on Human Medicines advised
the country’s drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency,
to remove Avandia from the shelves because its risks outweigh its benefits.
Some of Avandia’s alleged risks include severe chest pain, congestive heart
failure, heart attack, stroke and severe allergic reactions.

It was reported, that members of the European Panel that examined
the drug prior to its UK-wide approval in 2000 had fears about the drugs
long-term risks and benefits. The journal also addressed issues about the quality
of data GlaxoSmithKline used to show that Avandia did not lead to increased heart
problems compared to other diabetes medications.

In response to the article, GlaxoSmithKline said in a
statement “We strongly refute any allegation that our actions have put patients
at risk. We continue to believe that Avandia is safe and effective when it is prescribed
appropriately”

Sales of Avandia, once GlaxoSmithKline’s second
biggest-selling product, plummeted two years ago ever since a U.S. study in
2007 linked it to heart attacks. Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
in Washington, after a July report from its advisory panel, stated that it
would consider its regulatory options regarding future uses of the drug. An
announcement is expected shortly.

The Capretz & Associates law firm
has been investigating and filing Avandia claims for patients for over seven
years and it successfully settled a number of claims with GlaxoSmithKline in
2005. The firm is based in Newport Beach, California and represents clients
throughout the United States working with extensive network of associated law
firms.

Contact Us

The law firm of Capretz &
Associates has been representing consumers in medical device and
pharmaceutical drug cases for over fifteen years. To speak with a Capretz &
Associate product
liability lawyer regarding a legal claim please contact the law
firm (800) 351-8588.

Posted at 20:30 PM

Topic: Products Liability