SFDA Suspends Diabetes Drug Avandia

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has suspended GlaxoSmithKline’s diabetes drug Avandia for six months, arguing that potential heart risks outweigh its benefits.

SFDA’s decision means detailing and advertising of Avandia is banned and patients on Avandia will be referred to their doctor for consultation.

The six-month suspension will give Glaxo “the opportunity to provide the SFDA with evidence as to why rosiglitazone and combination products containing rosiglitazone should not be permanently removed from the Saudi Arabian market,” it said.

This came as a result of a critical report on the drug from US Senators last month, which suggested Glaxo knew of possible heart attack risks associated with Avandia years before the issue became public.

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