GlaxoSmithKline Further Defends Avandia Drug
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline last night released further data in support of its diabetes drug Avandia; heavily criticised in a recent report published in the New England Journal of Medicine
In the article, published in The Times, GSK now claims that the difference between Avandia's safety record and that of alternative prominent diabetes treatments is of little significance.
Critics, though, were quick to highlight that the results displayed were inconclusive, and thus would do little to dispel the debate surrounding Avandia's suspected link in increasing the risk of cardiovascular conditions among its users.
The New England Journal of Medicine itself published the latest results from Avandia's ongoing assessment, project-managed by scientists from Newcastle University. These indicated Avandia's connection with heart problems to be closely comparable to those of control groups.
The study assessed 4,400 patients with type2 diabetes and, while a very minor majority of them suffered heart problems, these being the users of Avandia, the difference was viewed as one so tiny that it could be attributed to chance.
A spokesman from GSK commented on the data, describing it as "very reassuring" for users of Avandia; however advising that it was inconclusive, owing to the continuing nature of the study.
A US Congressional hearing into the safety of Avandia is due to take place very shortly - the initial one of many regarding this highly popular drug.
Source - Pharmaceutical International Newsdesk
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GlaxoSmithKline dispels Avandia Heart Risk
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Further Resources:
GlaxoSmithKline Company Information
