A new study ties the controversial diabetes drug Avandia to a higher risk of heart problems, strokes and deaths in older adults.
The study comes two weeks ahead of a Food and Drug Administration hearing on Avandia's safety. The lead author of the study is FDA scientist Dr. David Graham who wants the pill banned.
The drug has been under a cloud for three years, since a review of dozens of studies suggested it may raise the risk of heart attacks and heart-related deaths. Warnings were added to its label, but it has remained on the market. It is still used by hundreds of thousands of Americans.
The study of Medicare records was released Monday by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Copyright 2010 AP Features
