The Drugmaker of Avandia Ordered to Pay Mainers $1.2 Million in Damages

Maine is one of 37 states across the nation that sued the drug company GlaxoSmithKline LLC, makers of the diabetic medicine Avandia. The class action lawsuit claimed GSK misrepresented the  cardiovascular risks of taking the pill.

The plaintiffs won a $90 million settlement against Avandia makers, but Mainers will receive only $1.2 million.

‘Patients rely on safety claims made by pharmaceutical companies," said Attorney General Schneider. "This settlement will help ensure that patients are not put at risk by misleading marketing.’

Legal papers filed in Kennebec County Superior Court said that the drug provided misleading information to both doctors and patients.  Avandia may have actually increased patient’s chance to develop cardiovascular complications.

GSK has also agreed to change how it markets Avandia. As part of the agreement GSK is prohibited from:

• Making any false, misleading, or deceptive claims about any diabetes drug.
• Making comparative safety claims that are not supported by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience.
• Presenting favorable information once thought valid but rendered invalid by contrary and more credible recent information.

As a of now, GSK hasn’t issued an official statement addressing the lawsuit.