DIABETES DRUG AVANDIA TARGETED

(07/17/2010)
GlaxoSmithKline's drug Avandia should stay on the market, federal health experts voted, but the controversial diabetes pill should be subject to new restrictions due to risky heart side effects.

It has been a widely used diabetic medication.

A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers voted 20-12 to keep the once blockbuster diabetic pill Avandia on the market.

But 10 panelists also called for limiting who can receive the much-debated medication.

The British drugmaker is facing thousands of lawsuits from patients who say Avandia caused their heart attacks or strokes.

The company could fare better in court because of the panel ruling, but Avandia sales are likely to hit bottom.

The panelists voted 21-4 that Avandia is more likely to cause heart attack than its closest competitor.