GlaxoSmithKline discusses Avandia investigation

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has discussed results of a clinical trial that show the number of deaths and cardiovascular hospitalisations are similar in patients taking Avandia (rosiglitazone) compared to those receiving metformin and sulfonylurea.

Some 4,447 people were enrolled in the investigation called Record, which the company sponsored. There was no statistical difference between the two groups taking the different treatments.

Chairman of the examination’s steering committee Dr Philip D Home explained the study was a robust assessment of rosiglitazone’s cardiovascular safety.

When compared to the most commonly used diabetes medicines, there was no increased danger of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation, he added.

“Millions of patients with diabetes do not achieve good blood sugar control, even with combination therapy, making a wide range of therapeutic options critical for the management of this growing and deadly disease,” Dr Home concluded.

Last week, the World Health Organization awarded global prequalification to GSK’s Rotarix.

It is a vaccine designed to protect against rotavirus, which is a severe diarrhoeal illness that is the second leading killer of youngsters aged under five.