FDA mulls pulling diet pill linked to heart attack
Federal health scientists are “considering pulling Abbott Laboratories' diet pill Meridia off the market, based on data that it increases heart attack and stroke.” (Washington AP, 9/13).
Prior to a meeting where outside experts will give their judgment as to the drug’s heart risks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted its safety review of Meridia online. At the upcoming meeting, the FDA will ask experts to advice on a range of possible actions for restricting the drug. One possible solution is to pull the drug from the market entirely.
Meridia has been on the market since 1997, “but data released late last year showed patients taking the drug had more than 11 percent risk of heart attack and stroke compared with 10 percent of those taking placebo.” Although this percentage difference may seem small, when large numbers of people are consuming the drug, the increased heart risks can have substantial impact. Additionally, European regulators pulled Meridia off the market early this year.
As a medical malpractice and products liability attorney in Chicago, I encourage anyone who consumes or is considering consuming this drug to evaluate other options.
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