Taking on Avandia

GAP client Dr. David Graham testified today at an FDA Advisory Committee meeting regarding the serious dangerous side effects of the diabetes drug Avandia. He recommended to the panel of experts that Avandia be removed from the market because it increases the risk of heart attack and other cardiac problems in patients. Graham’s recommendation is based on numerous studies which show that there is no proof that Avandia has significant health benefits, and that it may be responsible for thousands of deaths.

Dr. Graham is the drug safety scientist who spurred the withdrawal of Vioxx in 2004 after discovering that the painkiller increased the risk of cardiovascular problems. Though he is encountering a lot of skepticism from those within both the FDA and GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of Avandia, Graham’s testimony is expected to carry a great deal of weight with the advisory committee. (AP, NYT, Bloomberg)