Fda Allegedly Under Fire, Funding and Status Declines on Drugs Such as Chantix

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is becoming the center of controversy as news reports continue to surface on the declining status of the regulatory body as well as the underfunding that has allegedly been occurring.

One of these news articles was recently published in Prevention magazine in which the FDA's exploits and errors were laid out in a way to alert Americans of this increasing problem with one of the most relied upon regulatory bodies in the country.

Both a combination of low funding and an increase in job cuts at the FDA are potential reasons for the FDA's alleged decline and increasing tie to controversial drugs such as Chantix. Unfortunately, because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the main regulatory body overseeing and approving or not approving of medications, foods, etc., reports find it is a complicated manner.

What is Chantix?

Chantix or Champix (varenicline tartrate) is a prescription strength smoking cessation drug that is used to aid patients in ending their nicotine and smoking additions. The drug was released from Pfizer in May 2006 and was quickly prescribed to millions of patients across the United States.

Additionally, Prevention magazine reported the accompanying controversy surrounding the FDA's acceptance of illegal payments from Pfizer.

Chantix patients began reporting of hallucinations and increased feelings of anxiety and depression in 2007. The drug remains on the market although there were allegedly 37 suicides linked to the drug, which the FDA investigated.

Overcoming Chantix Side Effects

Because the Chantix side effects can be severely debilitating among a victim who now suffers from suicidal behavior and an altered personality/mood, it is extremely critical that a Chantix victim contact a medical professional to seek appropriate treatments, if necessary, as well as to find an alternative smoking cessation drug.

Speaking with a knowledgeable attorney on the potential for a Chantix class action lawsuit may also provide a victim of the drug's side effects with a better sense of protection.

A pharmaceutical attorney will likely offer a free legal consultation to individuals in need of better understanding the details behind a Chantix class action lawsuit. It may be possible to earn monetary compensation on the development of such a lawsuit.