GlaxoSmithKline and FDA face tough scrutiny

With yet another drug mess on its hands, pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the FDA are to face some tough questions from U.S. lawmakers today regarding the handling of data that showed an increased heart risk from the diabetes drug Avandia.

Dr. Steve Nissen from the Cleveland Clinic linked Avandia to a 43% higher chance of having a heart attack in May, and since then, the FDA and GSK both have offered data that conflicts the evidence brought forward by Dr. Nissen.

So, who is right here? There are not two right answers, so with the FDA and GSK not notifying patients back in 2006 that their findings showed a 30% increase in heart attack risks, both are sure to be branded under the fire today.