Trasylol Marketing Suspended
Posted by
David TompkinsNovember 05, 2007 12:15 PMFrom the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that, at the agency's request, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. has agreed to a marketing suspension of Trasylol, a drug used to control bleeding during heart surgery, pending detailed review of preliminary results from a Canadian study that suggested an increased risk for death."
It would seem that that Bayer has put this drug on the market thinking only about its profit margin. There are currently two other medications to deal with bleeding issues during heart surgery, neither of which have such significant risk of DEATH. It is almost as though Bayer thought that cardiac surgery was not risky enough, the drug company thought it needed to add a little "spice" to serious heart surgery.
In my mind, it seems like Bayer, not having any heart, simply needs to make money by competing in the "drug marketplace" with an inferior product but with much better marketing. You sell more drugs if you give cardiac surgeons a nice new putter! Put Trasylol on the putter head so they see that brand every time the need to make birdie!
I would note that the FDA's initial response in 2006 (a year ago??) was not to question the drug, order a more in-depth study, or pull the drug. The FDA asked for a "stronger warning." Give me a break! People with heart conditions needing coronary bypass surgery are NOT SHOPPERS or CONSUMERS! The are not comparing drugs to limit bleeding or clotting during thoracic surgery. They are sick, feeble, and vulnerable people. Warning labels don't protect them.
Government oversight and ethical pharmacutical industry practices would protect us. That is not what happens. They have to kill or injure people and take the litigation lottery to see if they can escape any liability. Then they blame so-called greedy victims (or grieving family members) or their counsel for their dastardly conduct.