Avandia Panelists Linked to Drug Makers

The Wall Street Journal has reported on links between members of the recent Avandia advisory panel and various drug makers. The advisory panel recently ruled in a 21-12 vote that the FDA should keep Avadia on the market despite links between the diabetes medication and increased risk of heart attacks.

Dr. David Capuzzi, who voted to keep the drug on the market, is reported to have earned $14,750 from GlaxoSmithKline, maker of Avandia, for the promotion of the omega-3 drug Lovaza. Capuzzi was one of three panel members to vote that the drug remain on the market without any changes to the warning label.

Panel member Dr. Abraham Thomas also reported taking speaking fees from Takeda Pharmaceuticals for the promotion of an Avandia rival drug. Dr. Thomas voted to remove Avandia from the market. The FDA notes that the matter is still under investigation, but that Dr. Thomas did disclose his earnings prior to serving on the panel.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704720004575377552600421936.html