Disputed Diabetes Drug Avandia Okay to Sell

For a while it looked as though the diabetes drug Avandia was heading toward its demise after an FDA scientist said the drug was too risky. But an advisory committee may have just secured a longer shelf life for the widely-used drug.

With his recent diagnosis, Henderson resident Ron Buehler suddenly found himself caught up in the world of chronic disease. And like millions of other diabetics, he's also has to trust a huge pharmaceutical industry for safe drugs.

Buehler said, "How does the average diabetic know? He doesn't until somebody tests that drug and says uh-huh."

However, testing doesn't always ease concerns. Several months ago, a federal scientist said the widely used diabetes drug Avandia increases the risk of heart attack and suggested it be removed from the market. Government health advisers have now recommended that Avandia stay.

Dr. Reid Litchfield, Henderson endocrinologist, is relieved. "I think the overall risk of heart disease, of inducing a heart attack with this drug is quite low."

About one million Americans with Type 2 diabetes use Avandia to control blood sugar by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin. Dr. Litchfield says studies haven't produced significant proof that it raises the risk of heart attack.

In fact, because diabetics already have a high incidence of heart disease, it's hard to isolate any effect from Avandia. "You're looking for a needle in a haystack full of needles," Dr. Reid Litchfield said.

The non-binding recommendation by the panel keeps Avandia on the shelf until a final decision by the FDA, which is not required to follow the panel's advice, but usually does.

Source:www.klas-tv.com