10 Utahns, 2 others sue pharmaceutical company

- Deseret News

05/02/2009 - Ten Utahns and two people from Oregon filed federal lawsuits Thursday against the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC alleging that the company was negligent in researching the drug Avandia, which caused them (or a spouse) to have heart attacks and subsequent health problems.

The lawsuits state the firm deceived doctors and the public about the possible health risks of this drug and two related medications, Avandaryl and Avandamet. All three medications have been used to treat type 2 diabetes. The lawsuits also allege that the firm knew about the "defective nature" of these medications but continued to market them to "maximize sales and profits at the expense of public health and safety."

The Food and Drug Administration approved Avandia for use in 1999. However, the FDA issued a safety alert in 2007 indicating that clinical trials showed that there was a significantly increased risk for heart attacks or other heart-related ailments in people who consumed Avandia.

The lawsuits were filed by Rema Ahlstrom of St. George, David Drummond of Roy, Janice and Kenneth Gurney of Aurora, Mickael and Denise Dunkley of Ogden, Phyllis and Brown Kaplar of Provo, John and Sandra Siddoway of Bountiful, and Stanley and Linda Ottaway of St. Helens, Ore.

They are seeking financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and impaired earning capabilities; compensation for physical and emotional pain; punitive and exemplary damages; and court costs and attorney fees.

However, a spokesperson for the company spoke up for the drug and said that once all the facts are known, Avandia will be vindicated in court.

"We stand by Avandia and we are prepared to defend the medicine," said Mary Anne Rhyne, spokesperson for Glaxo Smith Kline. "We're confident that when courts and juries look at actual clinical data, the way in which we communicated with the FDA and physicians, and posting studies on our Web site, the facts will support our position."

If you or a loved one have experienced an Avandia heart attack, or Avandia stroke, Avandia congestive heart failure, Avandia cardiovascular disease or if you have lost a loved one to an Avandia death you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Avandia attorneys of Ennis & Ennis today for a free confidential case evaluation. Our on staff nurse and lawyers are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding Avandia's side effects, a possible Avandia class action lawsuit, or any other type of Avandia litigation.