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Dangerous Drugs

• Is Your Kansas City Child Safe from Prescription Errors?

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Dangerous Drugs: Whose Side is the FDA On?

When a drug receives a stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consumers are supposed to be able to trust that this unbiased government entity has done the research to dismiss the potential harm the drug could bring. Consumers in Kansas City and across the country should be able to trust that when the FDA approves a drug for use it is safe. The FDA is the fail-safe between the public and unnecessary harm, right?

Or is it?

Evidently, that has come into question in recent months. Remember Avandia? Avandia is a drug made by GlaxoSmithKilne to treat diabetes. Somewhere the statistic was lost. Studies showed that patients heart attack risk skyrocketed by 43 percent on Avandia. However, due to a reporting change, that number fell significantly when the FDA conducted its investigation. What was that reporting change? Instead of linking the increased risk to heart attacks, the category was broadened to refer to myocardial ischemia. What did this accomplish? Changing the category skewed the statistics to downplay the dangers associated with the drug.

It worked.

Within months the FDA approved the measure to keep the drug on the market. The pharmaceutical giant won the battle. Billions of dollars in profits were the spoils of the war.

Put that into perspective for a minute. More than 140 million Americans are on a prescription drug of some sort. If the safety net that the FDA is designed to provide can be so easily compromised, what is left to protect consumers from the corporate wheeling and dealing big pharma engages in to maintain profitability?

The measures taken by pharmaceutical giants are apparently effective. Following a government review on the drug approval process within the FDA, more evidence came to light showing that Avandia's producer left pertinent information out of reports to the FDA. Again, where are the safeguards that are supposed to protect consumers? How is a drug company able to leave out information that can help officials determine the safety of a medication for use by the general public?

As a rule, the public should be able to trust the government entities charged with protecting them from potentially harmful prescription drugs. Further, pharmaceutical companies should put public safety beyond profit. If you or a loved one have been injured by a dangerous medication, the Kansas City medical malpractice attorneys at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer a no cost, no obligation initial consultation, Call 888-348-2616 for further information. You can access your free copy of the resource guide The Truth About Medical Malpractice Claims for more information.

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