Watch Group Says FDA Waited Too Long To Recall Weight Loss Drug "Meridia"
Public Citizen, a public watch group, has released a strong criticism of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s handling of the weight loss drug "Meridia." Meridia, which is made be the Big Pharma company Abbott, is a prescription weight loss drug for obese people. It was pulled from European shelves earlier this year, but since then more than 160,000 prescriptions for the drug have been filled in America.
According to reports, Meridia dangerously increases the rate of heart attacks and strokes for those taking it. The hazards are especially pronounced in younger people who have few other risk factors for heart attacks. It has been on the market since 1997.
The FDA's Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology (OSE) recommended recalling it earlier this year, but was overruled by the FDA's Office of New Drugs (OND). Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to recall the drug in 2002, but was denied.
Abbott has publicly stated that they disagree with the recall, but that they will act in accordance with it.
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