Saudi Arabia Imposes Six-month Ban on Diabetes Drug Avandia

By Jim Greene

Published on April 05, 2010

Saudi Arabian officials have temporarily banned the distribution and sale of the diabetes drug Avandia® in that country, pending further study of the possible link between the drug and incidents of heart disease. The agency did not forbid Saudi doctors from prescribing Avandia®.

A statement from Avandia® maker GlaxoSmithKlein (GSK) said the six-month ban imposed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SAFDA) did not take into account the positive results of the most recent studies of the drug. The company said it will present these results to the agency, in hopes of getting the ban lifted.

Avandia® Maker Faces Numerous Lawsuits

GSK is the defendant in numerous U.S. lawsuits claiming the drug, intended to regulate blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, has caused or worsened heart disease, including heart attacks and heart failure, as well as causing liver damage. Reports to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put the blame for heart problems on weakening of the muscles of the heart wall.

The U.S. lawsuits accuse GSK of negligence for failing to adequately warn patients of the dangers of Avandia® from its 1999 release until 2007, when the FDA ordered stronger and more prominent warnings. Another order this year called for further efforts from GSK.

Saudis Say Recent U.S. Senate Actions Influenced Decision

The SAFDA said recent renewed interest in the Avandia® controversy by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee raised concerns about the dangers of the drug and that they had already waited six months for GSK to convince them of the safety of Avandia® before imposing the ban. The agency said that their current position is that the risks of taking Avandia® outweigh the drug's benefits.

If you or someone you know has suffered heart ailments or other medical problems after taking Avandia®, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer right away to learn more about your legal options.

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