Avandia is a drug used to combat type two diabetes. Avandia is made and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline.
Avandia could not be released into the American marketplace without the approval of the Food & Drug Administration. The FDA approved Avandia, and thousands of Americans suffering from diabetes took Avandia. Still do.
And lots of them suffered heart attacks. Still are.
Now, a U.S. Senate Report (read it here, it’s over 300 pages long, prepared by the Senate Finance Committee) has been released that confirms Glaxo Smith Kline knew that diabetes drug Avandia contributed to tens of thousands of heart attacks and didn’t share this bad news with anyone. Not the patients, not the public, not the press.
Glaxo Smith Kline kept its mouth shut and kept right on selling Avandia. Why? Money. In 2006, Glaxo Smith Kline sold over three billion dollars worth of the drug. That’s over $3,000,000,000.00. In one year.
There’s more.
The Senate also points its finger at the FDA. According to the Senate Report, the Food & Drug Administration just pooh-poohed its own scientists when they voiced concerns about Avandia. In the words of the Senate itself, “…the FDA has been too cozy with drug makers and has been regularly outmaneuvered by companies that have a financial interest in downplaying or under-exploring potential safety risks.”
Every month, 500 heart attacks and 300 instances of heart failure (distinct from a heart attack) are caused by Avandia. Right now. In just our country.
Until something is done, diabetics taking Avandia will continue to suffer heart attacks. People are dying and will keep on dying until something is done.
The Senate Report has a tone of outrage, and understandably so. As plaintiff’s attorneys, we see injustice after injustice based upon greed — but this story has reached a new high in lows even for us.
Warning.
Please stop taking Avandia.
Please go see your doctor now, today, if you are a diabetic that has been taking this dangerous drug.
