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Virginia (VA) Dangerous Drug Injury Lawyers
Offices in VA Beach, Hampton & Elizabeth City, NC  


Blog Category:

Dangerous Drugs & Devices/Product Recalls

2/24/2010
James Lewis
Comments (0)

Evidence Mounts Linking Avandia to Heart Attacks, Drug Company Tried to Hide the Facts

Evidence suggests that GSK, the drug company which manufactures Avandia was aware of the possible heart attack risks associated with this dangerous drug years before evidence linking Avandia to such horrendous side effects became public. These were the findings of an investigation launched by the Senate Finance Committee.   

The Committee's report also states, "GSK executives intimidated independent physicians, focused on strategies to minimize findings that Avandia may increase cardiovascular risk, and sought ways to downplay findings that the rival drug ACTOS (pioglitazone) might reduce cardiovascular risk."

This comes on the heels of the Food and Drug Administration  revealing people now taking Avandia (a type-2 diabetes medication) switched to a similar medication, Actos, about 500 heart attacks and 300 cases of heart failure would be eliminated each month. The FDA event went so far as to recommend taking Avandia off the open market, according to marketwatch.com. 

Think things can't get any worse for GSK? Well, a report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practice  linked Avandia to over 300 deaths in the third quarter of 2009, the highest for any medication in that specific time period, according to the New York Times. 

The actual medical evidence is shocking, but the tactics taken by GSK are truly disturbing. The Senate Committee's findings that GSK tried to intimidate physicians and researchers.  What did they do? Well, two physicians at the University of Pennsylvania said calls were placed by GSK officials that were "highly unprofessional and had a chilling effect on their professional activity," according to foodconsumer.org. 

Here's a video discussing the risks of Avandia and the efforts to conceal the side effects by GSK...

So what does all this mean to you? Well, all of this evidence continues to strengthen the assertion that Avandia is a dangerous drug  and if you're taking this drug or know someone who is taking this drug, seek immediate medical attention and legal representation.



Labels: Actos attacks Attorney Avandia cardiovascular dangerous drug GSK heart Lewis medication prescription risk side effects typ-2 diabetes


About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling cases fo victims of dangerous drugs and prescription drug errors. Check out our dangerous drug information page to learn more about side effects and recalls. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth and Suffolk if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Our firm has been recognized as one of the best injury law firms in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report since 2010. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and have been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis were also named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers are chosen to receive this honor.

In addition, our firm was the first in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our VA injury law firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can get back to you.

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Virginia Beach, VA Personal Injury Attorneys
Virginia (VA) Personal Injury Lawyers
Specializing in Virginia Wrongful Death & Injury Law 


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