The New FDA - Once a wary watchdog, the Food and Drug Administration set out to become a "partner" of the pharmaceutical industry. . . . How a new policy led to seven deadly drugs.

> The New FDA - Once a wary watchdog, the Food and Drug Administration set out to become a "partner" of the pharmaceutical industry. . . . How a new policy led to seven deadly drugs.

   

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The New FDA

Once a wary watchdog, the Food and Drug Administration set out to become a "partner" of the pharmaceutical industry. . . . How a new policy led to seven deadly drugs.

 

DURACT
 Painkiller Posed Risk of Damage to Liver
By DAVID WILLMAN, Times Staff Writer
Drugmaker's lobbying won fine print instead of prominent warning
December 20, 2000

 

LOTRONEX
 Officer Foresaw Deadly Effects
By DAVID WILLMAN
"Irritable bowel" remedy pulled after reports of serious injuries
December 20, 2000

 

POSICOR
 143 Sudden Deaths Did Not Stop Approval
By DAVID WILLMAN
With study results kept secret, nation got another blood-pressure drug
December 20, 2000

 

PROPULSID
 A Heartburn Drug, Now Linked to Children's Deaths
By DAVID WILLMAN
Once evidence of harm emerged, FDA took years to withdraw approval
December 20, 2000

 

RAXAR
 Warning on Label Omits Deaths
By DAVID WILLMAN
Heart problems were mentioned in fine print, but not key dosage data
December 20, 2000

 

REDUX
 Unheeded Warnings on Lethal Diet Pill
By DAVID WILLMAN
Heart damage causes billions of dollars in potential legal liability
December 20, 2000

 

RELENZA
 Official Asks If One Day Less of Flu Is Worth It
By DAVID WILLMAN
Still on the market, the drug has been linked to 22 deaths so far
December 20, 2000

 

REZULIN
 Fast-Track Approval and a Slow Withdrawal
By DAVID WILLMAN
Diabetes drug stayed on the market a year after being listed among the most risky
December 20, 2000

 

SERZONE
 A Girl Is Given an Adult Medicine and She Pays a Heavy Price
By DAVID WILLMAN
Company hasn't published study of effect on children
December 20, 2000

 

THALIDOMINE
 A Long-Feared Drug Gets the Green Light
By DAVID WILLMAN
Approved to treat just leprosy, its alleged promotion as treatment for cancer draws sharp criticism
December 20, 2000

 

THE NEW FDA
 How Deaths Were Calculated
Reports of adverse drug reactions to the Food and Drug Administration are considered by public health officials to be the most reliable early warnings of a product's danger. The reports are filed to the FDA by health professionals, consumers and drug manufacturers. The Los Angeles Times inspected all reports filed in connection with seven drugs that were approved and withdrawn since 1993. By hand and by computer, The Times counted 1,002 deaths in which the filer identified the drug as the leading suspect. Since fall 1997, this top category has been termed "primary suspect." The Times did not count any death in which the drug was identified as the "secondary suspect" or less. The methodology and results were reviewed by Sheila R. Weiss, a former FDA epidemiologist who is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland's department of pharmacy practice and sciences.
December 20, 2000

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