Monday, March 07, 2005

IN BRIEF: GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC

GlaxoSmithKline Plc said Friday that batches of its diabetes pharmaceutical brand drug Avandamet (rosiglitazone maleate/metformin hydrochloride) 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg tablets and Paxil CR (paroxetine hydrochloride) 12.5 mg, 25 mg and 37.5 mg controlled-release tablets, used in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, were seized by the Food and Drug Administration for failure to meet standards for safety, strength, quality and purity. The FDA said it does not know of any harm to consumers by the drugs and it does not believe the drugs pose a significant health hazard. Patients should continue to take the drugs and ask their health care providers if they have concerns, the FDA said. GSK said it is working with the FDA to resolve these issues quickly.