FDA panel votes to keep Avandia on the market

More than 23 million Americans suffer from type 2 diabetes. After it was approved by the FDA in 1999, Avandia quickly became the world’s most popular drug to treat type 2 diabetes. However, in 2007 studies began to show that the drug increased the risk of cardiovascular problems, and concerns about the drug’s safety have persisted ever since.

Yesterday an FDA advisory committee voted on the safety of Avandia. Although most agreed that the drug increases the chance of a heart attack and stroke, the majority also voted to keep the drug on the market with revisions to its labels and more restrictions on its sale.

Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group and a member of the FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Committee discusses the panel’s vote.