FDA Taking A Closer Look At Claims Against Fosamax
ABC News recently ran a story on bone breaks in women who have been taking commonly prescribed osteoporosis drug Fosamax. ABC News’ Dr. Richard Besser reported that a drug meant to strengthen bones may have the opposite effect, causing low-impact fractures after many years on the drug. The drug may strengthen bones at first, but eventually make them so hard and rigid that they snap,
Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, is facing around 900 lawsuits claiming injury while on the drug. Recently, the FDA has begun to take a much closer look into the escalating number of claims surrounding Fosamax.
At this point, the data that FDA has reviewed is inconclusive in regard to bisphosphonate use and a risk of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures. FDA is working closely with outside experts, including members of the recently convened American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Subtrochanteric Femoral Fracture Task Force, to gather additional information that may provide more insight into this issue.
