Heart disease side effects linked to Avandia use expose millions of Type 2 diabetes patients to an increased risk of suffering serious cardiovascular health problems and even death from heart attack, stroke and congestive heart failure. Avandia lawsuits have been filed by diabetics and their families against drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline to collect financial compensation for personal injury and wrongful death damages. Avandia lawsuit attorneys claim GSK intentionally misled doctors and the public about the drug’s safety and efficacy. Lawyers also claim Glaxo was negligent. Please contact us for the latest Avandia lawsuit 2010 news.
Below, we will introduce you to some of the issues and history of Avandia litigation.
Cleveland Clinic study finds Avandia increases risk of heart attack and heart-related death
In May 2007, Cleveland Clinic researcher Dr. Steven Nissen found that Avandia side effects include a 43% increase in heart attack risk and a 64% increase the risk of cardiovascular death compared to taking other diabetes drugs or no diabetes medication at all. After his study was published by the New England Journal of Medicine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Avandia Drug Safety Alert. The FDA also added a “Black Box Warning” to Avandia’s label and prescribing information which was revised twice in the following six months. The Senate Finance Committee launched an investigation into Avandia cardiovascular risk and the conduct of drug maker, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Senate reports that Avandia risks were known by GlaxoSmithKline but dangers were hidden from the public
The Senate report on Avandia was released to the public on February 20, 2010. Senate investigators found that GSK knew of the potential Avandia heart risks for several years before May 2007 and that they should have warned patients and the FDA of its safety concerns. “Instead,” the investigators concluded, “GSK executives attempted to intimidate independent physicians, focused on strategies to minimize or misrepresent findings that Avandia may increase cardiovascular risk, and sought ways to downplay findings that a competing drug might reduce cardiovascular risk.” In short, GlaxoSmithKline used tactics to manipulate science and research in order to sell more Avandia at the expense of public safety.
FDA panel votes to revise Avandia warning label and restrict its use – No Avandia Recall
On July 14, 2010, a FDA panel of drug safety advisors voted against an Avandia recall. Instead, the advisory panel recommended the Avandia warning label be revised and new restrictions on the use of the Type 2 diabetes medicine be added.
Avandia lawsuit settlements
If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure or other Avandia cardiovascular side effects, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an Avandia lawsuit lawyer to discuss your legal options.