Advocacy Group Sues FDA Over Prescription Painkiller

Greg Webb

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Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, has sued the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to a prescription painkiller sold under such names as Darvon and Darvocet. They claim this drug is too risky to stay on the market. The drug contains a narcotic, known chemically as propoxyphene, which can cause a slowed heartbeat and other serious cardiac effects, even when used properly. Two years ago, the advocacy group petitioned the FDA to ban the drug, saying it was no more effective than other painkillers while also citing the accidental deaths of more than 2,000 people using the drug since 1981.

Public Citizen filed the suit with the U.S. District Court in Washington arguing the FDA disobeyed the law by not ruling on its petition within the six months required. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061903528.html