Knowledge Experience Compassion Service 
In a victory for consumers, the FDA finally restricted sales of Avandia in the United States (as well as suspending all use in Europe.)
However, as noted in the New York Times, the dangers associated with Avandia only came to light after a cardiologist analyzed data from clinical trials that GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of the drug, had been forced to post on its website as a result of the legal settlement. “Such public postings are increasingly the norm which means that drug makers can no longer easily hide or control scientific information about their medicines.” (Emphasis added.)
After engaging in an 11-year cover-up of these health risks, “the decision brought an end to one of the worst drug safety tragedies in our lifetime.” One study estimated that from 1999 to 2009, more than 47,000 people taking Avandia needlessly suffered a heart attack, stroke or heart failure, or died.”
Despite the victory, the FDA’s actions still display a willingness to compromise with the drug industry. As noted by Dr. Sidney Wolfe, Director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, “The FDA made progress by highlighting the risks of using Avandia and severely restricting its use, but it didn’t go far enough. Too many people could still be exposed to this dangerous product.
As New Mexico personal injury attorneys concerned about dangerous drugs, we agree. Restricting Avandia is a major step forward for consumers. However, the fact that the drug remains on the market and that the dangers of Avandia would not have come to life but for litigation underscores how far we still have to go to protect citizens from corporate greed and conflicts of interests that place profits ahead of consumer safety.
For more information, or if you have been harmed by Avandia or other dangerous drugs, please contact the Branch Law Firm, to find out how we can help.