Panel: Avandia Should Remain on Market Despite Risks

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee is recommending that diabetes medication Avandia remain on the market despite evidence that use of the drug increases the risk of heart attacks. According to the New York Times, "[t]he votes - 20 to 3 on the heart attack risk and 22 to 1 on the marketing - were cast after an extraordinary meeting in which officials from the Food and Drug Administration, which brought the committee together, openly disagreed with one another on the course to take." The panel advised the FDA that Avandia labeling should carry warnings of the increased risk of heart attack associated with the drug's use.

• NY Times: Diabetes Drug Backed, but With Warnings
• FDA Safety Warning on Avandia
• Avandia Information (FindLaw)