New government reports released this week indicate that pharmaceutical manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline has known about the increased risk of heart attacks posed by their drug Avandia. The reports also accuse the company of failing to adequately warn consumers of these risks.
According to the government reports, 304 deaths were attributed to Avandia in the third quarter of 2009. Furthermore, these reports present evidence that if patients were to take an alternative diabetes medication call Actos, 500 heart attacks and 300 cases of heart failure would be avoided each month.
For years, the FDA has been engaged in a debate over what to do with Avandia. Many officials believe the defective drug should be recalled due to a substantial body of evidence that the Type 2 diabetes drug needlessly risks the lives of consumers, especially when a safer alternative exists. Others believe the evidence is inconclusive and that further testing is needed. However, there are serious ethical questions associated with the continued testing of a medication that has been linked to so many fatal heart problems.
The Senate investigation strongly criticizes GlaxoSmithKline, claiming they had a responsibility to warn patients that the drug carries fatal risks. Instead, the drug company has bullied independent physicians and tried to misrepresent data linking Avandia to cardiovascular complications. GlaxoSmithKline strongly denies these claims.
It is important to consult an experienced defective drug attorney if you have suffered a heart attack or heart failure after taking Avandia. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. GlaxoSmithKline’s actions associated with the marketing of Avandia are yet another example of a major pharmaceutical company choosing to ignore the signs of a defective product in favor of reaping large profits at the expense if injured consumers.
If you live in New York or New Jersey and have suffered a heart attack or heart failure due to Avandia, please contact the defective drug lawyers at Trief & Olk today to schedule your free initial consultation.
