Research by Invokana Manufacturer Says Drug is Safe to Use
A study recently published in a medical journal that was conducted by pharmaceutical industry employees finds the diabetes drug Invokana to be less dangerous than has past research. This conclusion is at odds with the numerous claims that Invokana is indeed harmful. In fact, the drug has been the subject of thousands of lawsuits across the country and now carries a warning from the FDA of risks to patients.
Study on drug conducted and funded by maker of drug
The study was published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, and was a “real world” study funded entirely by Janssen Research & Development, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and the makers of Invokana. The study looked at the rate of amputation among patients using Invokana in a normal setting (i.e., not as participants in a clinical trial), and found no link between Invokana use and an increased risk of amputation. “Real-world” studies use data from health records, insurance claims, and other documentation of use of a drug or device outside of the laboratory setting to offer a different perspective on how the drug or device works. While real-world data can be useful, it is generally seen as far less reliable than clinical data in proving the safety or effectiveness of a drug.
Results in contrast to prior research conducted by third party researchers
The results of the Janssen study also run contrary to volumes of other data showing the dangers associated with Invokana. A study published in June of 2017, for instance, showed up to twice the risk of amputations among Invokana users. The FDA announced in May of 2016 that it had seen studies showing an increased risk of amputations, and the agency ultimately added a black box label on Invokana in May of 2017 that warned potential patients of the increased risk of leg and foot amputations.
More and more research is being conducted by drug makers themselves
With increasing frequency, research on pharmaceuticals is conducted by drug companies themselves. In fact, the vast majority of clinical trials are funded by drug makers. One critic of the pharmaceutical industry explained, “It’s clear from the start that there is a deep conflict of interest in pharmaceutical companies sponsoring trials on their own drugs. Industry sponsors 90 percent of published clinical trials. [This is a] worrying statistic given that… industrysponsored trials are four times as likely to produce positive results than independently run experiments.”
If you are currently or were an Invokana patient harmed by the diabetes drug, find out if you’re a good candidate to file a claim based on your injuries by contacting the knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles dangerous drug injury lawyers at Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy for a free consultation, at 310-553-6630.
