Last month, a report was released evaluating articles reviewing the Type 2 diabetes drug Avandia. The report found considerable evidence that experts paid by Avandia’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, were much more likely to arrive at a favorable conclusion regarding the drug’s safety and effectiveness.
Hundreds of studies of Avandia have been published since 2007, providing a wide spectrum of opinions regarding the safety of the drug. Many studies have found that Avandia, which is prescribed to control blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetes patients, significantly increases your risk of heart attack. The evidence was strong enough to compel the FDA to place a “black box” warning on the drug’s label, the strongest warning possible. In fact, a report released last February indicates the FDA was strongly considering recommending Avandia’s removal from the market.
However, there have also been many studies providing vastly different evidence, extolling Avandia as completely safe, and recommending its continued usage.
In an attempt to reconcile these conflicting views of Avandia, the current analysis evaluated the link between the authors’ financial interests and their opinions of the drug. Researchers reviewed 202 articles by 180 authors discussing the association between Avandia and an increased risk of heart attack. Each article was reviewed by individuals having no prior relationship with GlaxoSmithKline to eliminate any potential conflict of interest. The favorability rating for each article was based on the authors’ assertions regarding Avandia’s link to heart attacks as well as their recommendations for its future use.
The analysis found that 87% of authors giving Avandia a favorable review had conflicts of interest with GlaxoSmithKline; they received payments either directly from the drug manufacturer or from a competitor promoting a similar drug. Of the authors providing a negative review of Avandia, only 20% had been paid by Glaxo.
It is uncertain how this information will impact many of the pending defective drug lawsuits against Avandia. However, it does provide compelling evidence that GlaxoSmithKline places profits over the safety of consumers. If you have suffered a heart attack or other serious injury due to taking Avandia, an experienced defective drug lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you have an Avandia claim in the Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact the defective drug attorneys at The Yost Legal Group today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Written by Andrew Martin: professional blogger and guru of misfortune.
