foodconsumer.org: Avandia Coming Under Fire

Avandia Coming Under Fire
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Rachel Stockton on 06/28/2010 16:01:00
 
After years of press, both good and not-so-great, the days of a popular diabetes
drug may now be numbered.
Avandia, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline is coming under criticism after the
release of massive research that shows  the drug significantly increases
cardiovascular risks in those who take it.  Study results were released in their
entirety in the online edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Study Details
In one study, over a quarter of a million Medicare patients, some of whom took
Avandia, were shown to have a 28%-39% risk for major cardiovascular events such
as heart attack and stroke. To put it more bluntly, the researchers surmise that
there would be one heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death in every 60
patients taking the drug for one year. Participants in the study who did not
take Avandia alternatively took Actos.
Dr. Steven E. Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic is quoted by the Washington Post as
saying:  "This is a harmful drug."
Avandia History
Avandia was released on the market back in 1999 and was a huge revenue maker for
GlaxoSmithKline; at the peak of its popularity, sales reached $3 billion
annually.  In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the
drug, but did not pull the plug on its manufacture.  Critics of the FDA have
stated they believe that after taking radical measures to pull Vioxx (a popular
arthitis medication), the Agency has been gunshy about its public reputation and
affiliation with drug manufacturers (Washington Post).
However, the FDA has maintained that they are committed to reviewing the latest
analyses in a special session to determine the future of the drug.  Meanwhile,
GlaxoSmithKline is standing behind the drug.
Diabetes:  Other Alternatives
Medical researchers and cardiovascular expertshave long maintaned that the best
way to treat Type 2 diabetes is through diet and exercise.  According to a study
published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine, those who
take drugs to control the condition have received little protection from the
biggest health threat to diabetics:  heart disease.