As an Avandia injury lawyer, I am astonished at the FDA's reluctance to shut Avandia down and sanction Glaxo. Last month Federal drug regulators conducted a hearing concluding that Avandia carried a higher risk of heart attack than its competitor drug Actos.

Of the 33 members of the committee none voted to continue marketing the drug or from removing the warning labels for stroke or heart attack. 3 said no change; 10 voted to severely restrict the drug's marketing and 12 voted to take it off the market. One abstained.

So what does the FDA do with this information? They order Glaxo to send some doctors a letter. The letter goes out without FDA approval and it fails to clearly discuss the findings of the committee. Moreover, the letter does not go out to all prescribing doctors nor to patients.

What is going on here? As a Miami drug injury lawyers committed to patient safety, I think that every prescribing doctor,pharmacist and patient should immediately be provided with a clear and easy to understand warning about Avandia from the FDA. The FDA can bill Glaxo for the cost of sending the letter. The idea is to let patients know about Avandia's dangers before it is too late.

Continue reading "Avandia Danger-Enough is Enough" »

As Florida class action prescription drug lawyers, we are pleased to see the FBI is hot on the trail of drug manufacturers who pay foreign doctors to run their drug trials abroad. Last month the FDA found that the diabetes drug Avandia's overseas trials revealed considerable risks for heart disease; but were not counted in the drug's overall test results.

In the US it is illegal for drug manufacturers to "pay" physicians to write prescriptions. Instead they persuade doctors with special presentations at conventions and high end steakhouses to prescribe drugs like Yaz or Yazmin. Foreign doctors often work for their governments. And if the FBI discovers that these doctors were paid to prescribe drugs or manipulate the results of trials; the manufacturers run the risk of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

This is now the time for the FDA and Obama Administration to finally clean up the process for approving prescription drugs. Eliminating foreign trials until they can be varied and accurately reported, would be a start.

Continue reading "Dangerous Drug Companies: If You Cannot Beat Them-Bribe Them " »

As a Florida Avandia claims lawyer who represents consumers injured by the Diabetes drug Avandia, I was pleased to learn that GlaxoSmithKline issued a statement that they were halting the recruitment of patients for a so called TIDE trial. In other words, they are not looking for more people to subject to this dangerous drug for clinical trials. However, they have not agreed to halt those that are participating in ongoing trials.

Seems to me, that is is a reckless and callous indifference to the well being of those participating in Avanda trials. Why cannot the FDA step in and order the trials be stopped until such time as either Avanida is proven safe or is completely withdrawn from the market?

Once again, the FDA proves to me to be too slow and too conservative in its efforts to protect consumers from defective drugs. I suggest that any one who is currently taking Avandia or is considering it, immediately speak to your health care provider about the latest research and about alternate diabetes drugs.

As a Miami Avandia and Accutane injury lawyer, I have rarely seen a worse case of corporate greed like the evidence presented to a Federal Advisory Committee from GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of Diabetes drug Avandia. The committee discovered internal documents showing that the company kept crucial safety information about Avandia from the public for years. Read the smoking gun. The New York Times reports that the F.D.A. restricts drug's sales only when a drug offers a unique benefit, something no study has shown about Avandia.

The FDA has already restricted Accutane, an acne drug that can cause birth defects and irritable bowel disease. We are currently representing many people across the country who have been injured by taking Accutane.

As long as the American public incorrectly believes that the FDA actually tests drugs before they are "approved" for sale and we permit greedy companies like GlaxoSmithKline to protect us, people will continue to get sick and die from dangerous drugs.

We need to demand that the FDA really independently tests drugs before they receive approval; and that there be criminal and civil charges brought against those who needlessly harm consumers. Contact the FDA and let them know you agree.

As a Miami defective drug lawyer who has helped those injured by dangerous prescription drugs for nearly twenty years; I strongly urge the FDA to immediately pull diabetes drug Avandia from the U.S. market. Avandia, made by GlaxoSmithKline PLC to treat Type 2 diabetes has been linked to increased heart-attack risk.

This is a defining moment for the FDA, the Obama Administration and the safety of Americans who depend on both to protect them from dangerous prescription drugs like Avandia. Avandia's problems began in 2007, when studies began linking to a 43% increased heart-attack risk. Since then, more studies have indicated sizable risks for cardiovascular issues. Yet, this drug remains on the market. If the risk of a drug outweighs its potential benefits, there is no reason that it should remain on the market.

I recommend anyone taking Avandia to immediately consult with your physician and consider alternative medications such as Actos. We are committed to holding drug manufacturers responsible for putting Americans in danger.