FDA Panel Splits on whether to withdraw Meridia diet pill from the market

The FDA panel asked to decide whether Abbott Labs’ Meridia diet pill should be withdrawn from the US market has issued a split vote (8-to-8). The vote came after the a year-long safety review conducted by the FDA due to concerns about the pill's risk of heart problems. The drug was withdrawn in Europe eight months ago. According to a story in Pharmalot, the eight members of the committee who voted to keep Meridia on the market also agreed the pill should have a boxed warning. Six members said the drug should also have limited distribution by way of only specially trained doctors. None of them, however, thought Meridia should remain available without at least some labeling changes. Go here for the full story in Pharmalot. For more information go to AboutLawsuits.com.