FDA Panel to Review Safety of Diabetes Drug Avandia

Hearings begin Tuesday on whether the drug Avandia should stay on the market.

Ahead of the hearings, FDA scientists have blasted a study by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline used to defend the safety of the once high-riding diabetes drug, which fell out of favor because of potential ties to heart attacks.

In fact, one FDA reviewer says the study actually makes the case against leaving Avandia on the market.

For the Food and Drug Administration, Avandia represents the latest in a series of drugs that were approved years ago, only to be called into question later because of safety concerns.

Regulators have three likely options: Add more warning labels; limit which doctors can prescribe Avandia; or, pull it from the market altogether