A New York Times article published today makes the scandalous revelation that SmithKline Beecham (now called GlaxoSmithKline) conducted a study on its new diabetes drug, Avandia, in 1999, and has been working to hide the findings from the public for the past 11 years.
The 1999 study found that Avandia was not only no more effective than its competitor, Actos, but also that it presented more risks of heart attack and stroke. The Times published the following excerpt from an email written in 2001 by SmithKline executive Dr. Martin I. Freed:
"This was done for the U.S. business, way under the radar. Per Sr. Mgmt request, these data should not see the light of day to anyone outside of GSK."
To make matters worse, it seems that Dr. John Jenkins, head of the F.D.A.'s office of new drugs, has been rooting for Avandia, speaking out against taking it off the market, and "disciplining" an employee who recommended that the health warnings be strengthened for Avandia.
Gee, ya think? Is anyone really surprised at this news? Big Pharma is pulling the strings of our medical lives and we do the dance! What a shame. Oh and BTW let’s look really hard at not only this corrupt company but also at the head of the FDA.
the doctors here are using the native people as genie pigs for avandia, i am young diabetic, i had mild stroke at 30 and heart problem and purple heart while on this drug.
The government using Native americans as guiny pigs is nothing new. They used a group of NA children to test the HEP3 vaccine, without their parents permission or knowlege. We are expendible, didn’t you know that Bro?
what a joke. What is wrong with the FDA and the company. It’s all about greed and they don’t care about diabetes.
The company should be penalized others fired.
Bill