Avandia

Here's a disturbing statistic: About 70 percent of all diabetes patients will eventually succumb to heart disease.

Avandia increases risk of congestive heart failure. A New England Journal of Medicine study reviewed more than 40 Avandia trials and found the drug to be linked to a significant increase in the risk of heart attack.

In the Times, Dr. Sidney Wolfe of Public Citizen pointed out that in addition to cardiovascular risks, Avandia has also been linked to liver problems and an increased risk of bone fracture. And he noted that if Avandia were up for approval today, the "draconian" FDA approval process would not give this drug the green light.

The FDA Panel members voted 22 to 1 to keep Avandia on the market. One caveat: The panel suggested that Avandia packaging carry "strict warnings."

So who does the FDA work for, the people or the drug companies?