Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas
June 10, 2009 3:59:17 am
In a new study,GlaxoSmithKline refuses to accept the claim that its product Avandia puts patients at high risk of heart attacks; diabetologists say the final word is not yet out
A GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) study rebuts claims that it’s much criticised diabetes drug Avandia is linked to heart attacks. And while the health care company’s study on more than 4,000 patients has also been published in The Lancet (June 5) issue,diabetologists feel that the last word has not been said about the issue.
The American Diabetic Association and a European Diabetes Association had recommended to doctors to stop giving the drug ‘avandia’ after studies showed that it put patients at higher risk of heart attacks. However,GSK reported their recent study that shows Rosiglitazone (brand name Avandia) has no increased overall cardiovascular risk compared to other commonly used diabetes medicines.
Clinical trial results of the RECORD (Rosiglitazone Evaluated for Cardiac Outcomes and Regulation of Glycaemia in Diabetes) study,presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) meeting 2009,showed that overall rates of cardiovascular hospitalisation and cardiovascular death were similar in patients taking rosiglitazone compared to those consuming metformin and sulfonylurea.
Subscriber Only Stories
The results from the 4,447-patients US based study showed that the primary endpoint consisting of cardiovascular hospitalisation or cardiovascular death (which includes heart attack,congestive heart failure,and stroke) was not statistically different between the Rosiglitazone groups (321 events,14.5 per cent) compared to the patients receiving control medications [Metfomin and Sulfonyurea (323 events,14.5 per cent).
This data is very relevant in the Indian context,given that India has over 42 million diabetics and every fifth diabetic in the world is a native Asian Indian” said Dr Sadhna Joglekar,GlaxoSmithKline’s VP Medical,Regulatory and Clinical Research,India. Avandia is marketed in India by GSK as Windia.
However,diabetologists like Dr C S Yajnik feels that the last word has not been said about this issue. Larger studies are needed and while the drug is in use,people are not using it on a large scale. The present study is bound to generate debate in the medical world, he said. According to Dr Abhay Mutha diabetologist,The drug has been under a lot of scrutiny. He however felt that in India it did not pose much of a problem.
First published on: 10-06-2009 at 03:59:17 am
Subscribers Reading Now
Most Popular
Latest News
BMC chief ordered officials to not remove hoardings of CM: Petitioner informs HC
2008 Malegaon blast case: HC judge recuses from hearing petitions
Cops thwart doctor’s suicide bid, reunite her with family
Bombay HC judge recuses from hearing Arun Ferreira’s plea for default bail
Ukrainian varsities’ mobility programme to medical students not recognised: NMC
Blood donation camp held to mark 75 years of India’s Independence
Single bid for Manora MLA hostel, PWD seeks Vidhan Bhavan’s call on re-tendering
Antim has the final word
Dumper with raw material for Metro project falls into trench, driver dies
10 crore rural households connected to piped water facility: PM Modi
Yacht found with weapons: ATS lodges case under Arms Act
To raise awareness about city’s history, PMC to start heritage walk from today
