Rosiglitazone Controversy
Yet another development in the recent Rosiglitazone controversy has scientists disputing the recent meta-analysis of Rosiglitazone (Avandia). From what I recall, the debate to date has generally taken this form. First there was a controversial meta-analysis study of over 40 studies completed on Rosiglitazone. It concluded that there was an unforeseen heart attack risk associated with use of the drug.
Glaxosmithkline, the manufacturer of the drug came out strongly against the study, pointing out that they tested the study and found no problems with its use. This is not surprising, as Avandia is making huge sales for the publically traded company, Glaxosmithkline (GSK). A massive stock drop followed suit with the Nissen study, as Avandia sales dropped and the comapny was forced to buyback more shares than normal and fiercely defend Avandia’s usefulness and safety.
The FDA panel found that it should be kept on the market, voting 22-1 in favor of keeping in legal. They felt that the drug was still helping more than it was possibly hurting and instead opted for a “black box warning” on the drug. Basically, that means it gets one of those warnings like something you would find on a pack of smokes on each bottle.
I have followed this controversy for a while and I think it points to one of the main problems found in our medical industry here in the US. The drug companies sell drugs, first and foremost. In a capitalistic society such as the US, they are guided by the “invisible hand” of profit and you can see by looking at their stock price what happens when one of their hit drugs is threatened- their stock tanks. Naturally people at GSK would scramble to keep it on the market if they are heavily vested into the stock. I am not saying that these people would act without integrity, but I do think their thoughts would be altered by the lens of GSK. And if they did act without integrity they would be doing so to preserve vast sums of money. They would want to believe that Avandia is safe, because if it wasn’t their livelihood is at stake. Such is one of the many faults of medicine as an industry.
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