GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the manufacturer of Avandia, will present its case defending the drug to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on July 30th, 2007. The company will present data from 116 studies involving more than 50,000 people that showed no increased risk of heart attack. Sales of Avandia have plummeted since the New England Journal of Medicine published a study in May claiming that the drug may increase the risk of heart attacks by over 40 percent.

What is Avandia?

Avandia is a diabetic drug that came on the market approximately eight years ago. Since then, nearly six million people have prescribed to it. It is used by those who have Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, which affects nearly 18 million Americans and 200 million people worldwide.

Diabetes is a leading cause of coronary heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot make enough insulin or effectively use the insulin that the body can make. Insulin assists the body metabolize sugar for energy and Avandia was created to help the body maintain adequate blood sugar control.

Glaxo losing money – and prescribers

Since the report was published, Glaxo's stock has reportedly lost $23 billion of market value and is on the bottom of pharmaceutical performance indexes. The company is set to release its second quarter earnings on July 25th and experts predict a dismal report. Glaxo has continually denied that Avandia causes an increase in the risk for heart attacks, but has been unable to convince doctors and patients of its safety as it has not produced significant evidence to the contrary.

The company has even taken out articles in the New York Times and USA Today trying to convince the public that they stand behind their product. Even though Avandia is (was) one of the most popular diabetic drugs in recent years, there are others on the market that do not come with the attached controversy - whether unfounded or not.

Another Vioxx?

Lawsuits against the company are starting to appear and experts predict that 20,000 suits may be filed over the next few years. Some are predicting that Avandia may be the next Vioxx – Merck’s arthritis drug that was pulled off the market in 2004 after findings that it increased the chances of cardiovascular incidents. If you have experienced an injury that you believe was caused by the use of Avandia, contact an attorney for an evaluation of your case.