DeLauro Responds to New Avandia Findings

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement today in response to the FDA's reassessment of the diabetes drug Avandia. Dr. Thomas Marciniak, the medical reviewer of the Avandia trials, suggests that critical details were misinterpreted by the maker of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline.

"I have repeatedly urged the FDA to remove Avandia from the market until its potential dangers could be evaluated. These shocking new findings suggest that not only is Avandia unsafe, but that GlaxoSmithKline incorrectly interpreted the study, suggesting serious flaws in how they conducted the trial. The worst fears about this drug, that it is potentially a direct cause of heart attacks in those who have taken it, are coming true," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "I urge the FDA to immediately remove this dangerous drug from the market. It is very clear to me that a drug company's own interpretation of what constitutes science-based is not correct, and we must take steps to protect the American public."