Last week, an Avandia recall in Europe was announced as the FDA put tight new restrictions on Avandia use in the United States. Avandia has been on the market in the U.S. to treat type 2 diabetes since 1999. How long have drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and the FDA been aware of Avandia side effects risks? According to a lead Senate investigator, the answer is shocking.
The Senate Finance Committee launched an investigation into the safety of Avandia and the Conduct of GSK in 2007 after an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr. Steven Nissen linked use of the drug (generic name: rosiglitazone) to a 43% increase in heart attack risk.
Paul D. Thacker was the lead Avandia investigator for Sen. Check Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Committee. During the course of the 3-year investigation, Thacker and the team of investigators reviewed over 250,000 internal GSK documents.
The Senate report on Avandia safety was resealed in February 2010.
Documents obtained by Senate investigators found evidence that GlaxoSmithKline was aware of Avandia heart risks for years before the risks were made public. In addition, it found that GSK withheld evidence linking Avandia to increased heart risk from as far back as 2005.
In an article published earlier this week titled, Glaxo’s Avandia Cover-Up, Mr. Thacker says that GSK’s own documents show that it had been aware of the side effects risks of Avandia since 2000. However, instead of warning the FDA, doctors and patients of the potential deadly risks, Glaxo spent millions of dollars on research to develop a drug that would prevent Avandia heart attacks.
Based on internal GSK documents obtained by Avandia lawsuit attorneys which were not available to Senate investigators, Thacker concludes GSK’s knowledge of Avandia heart attack risks may go as far back as 2000.
Thacker recognizes the importance of Avandia lawsuits:
IN JULY, GSK paid out $460 million to settle lawsuits filed by some 10,000 Avandia patients. Thousands more have lined up to sue GSK over Avandia—and the latest moves by the FDA and its European counterpart are sure to create a feeding frenzy for the plaintiffs’ bar, which has become the de facto regulatory arm of the drug industry. Big Pharma doesn’t fear the toothless FDA—it fears lawsuits.
Avandia lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline seek money damages for personal injury and wrongful death caused by Avandia side effects. Avandia settlements have been reached on Avandia lawsuit claims that heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart-related death were caused by use of Avandia (rosiglitazone).
If you or a loved one has suffered an Avandia heart attack, stroke or congestive heart failure, you may have a claim to an Avandia lawsuit settlement. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Avadia lawyer. Our Avandia lawsuit attorneys are accepting Avandia, Avandamet and Avandaryl cases in all 50 states. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
I have been taking Avandia for one year and I experienced pain and swollen hands for 4-5 months now. At night when I am sleeping, my heart beat is fast and shaking that wakes me up. I told my family doctor about this but she still wants me to continue using the Avandia. I went to another Doctor for second opinion, and she right away wants me to stop taking the Avandia and just continue with my Metformin pills. She told me that pain and swollen hands might be from using Avandia. She wanted me to go for Lab test then go back to her office in a week time.