British Medical Journal: Pull Avandia from Market

London, EnglandThe British Medical Journal recently said that the diabetes drug Avandia, made by GlaxoSmithKline, should be pulled from the market and, in fact, should never have been licensed at all.

The journal found that the panel that had approved the medication prior to its entry into the European Union market in 2000 had concerns about potential Avandia side effects and its long-term risks, reports the Wall Street Journal.

An investigation conducted by the journal revealed that the UK Commission on Human Medicines had recommended to the country's drug regulatory body, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, that it stop the sale of Avandia because its risks were greater than its benefits, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Once GlaxoSmithKline's second-highest selling drug, Avandia has suffered declining sales since a 2007 US study linked it to an increased risk of heart attack.

The drugmaker said that it has conducted a great deal of research into Avandia.

"We have rigorously shared our data relating to the cardiovascular safety of Avandia in a timely and transparent manner and have made extensive efforts to publish our clinical trial findings in peer review journals, at scientific meetings and via our own clinical trials website," Glaxo said.