FDA panel discusses possibility of delaying diabetes drugs for cardiovascular testing

NEW YORK Concerned about possible risks to heart health after a popular diabetes drug was linked to heart attacks, the Food and Drug Administration may delay diabetes drugs that AstraZeneca, Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb are developing.

Avandia, a drug from GlaxoSmithKline, was available for eight years before it was linked to heart attacks. This prompted Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa to demand that the FDA review the new drugs.

An FDA panel that met for a two-day meeting Tuesday will decide whether to recommend any further studies be required for the drugs.