GSK Sued in Death Reportedly Linked to Diabetes Drug

Research Triangle Park, N.C. — GlaxoSmithKline is being sued by the widow and son of a Texas man who had taken its diabetes drug Avandia.

Peggie Stanford and her son Ryan contend in the suit that Avandia contributed to Larry Stanford’s death due to a heart attack. Stanford died on May 21, which was the day that the New England Journal of Medicine published an analysis saying Avandia was linked to a greater risk of heart attack.

"I know Larry's family will never forget the date May 21, 2007, and I sincerely hope neither does GlaxoSmithKline," says Stephen Drinnon of The Drinnon Law Firm in Dallas, who represents Stanford's widow and son. "But what truly matters is what happened long before that date. I believe the evidence will show the company knew there were problems with Avandia, but decided to keep on selling it to Larry and others."

The suit was filed in a federal court in Texas. Larry Stanford, 60, lived in Beaumont.

Stanford had taken a form of Avandia known as Avandamet since 2005.

GSK has defended the safety of the drug.