April 1, 2004: FDA Approves Ketek

The FDA approves the drug Ketek for treatment of chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis, and community-acquired pneumonia in patients age 18 and older. [Aventis, 4/1/2004] The approval decision is made despite evidence that a 2001-2002 clinical trial for the drug, study 3014, was replete with fraudulent data (see October 2001-Fall 2002). The FDA says the approval is based on data submitted in 2000, other studies, and the drug’s safety record overseas where the drug has been in use for several years. [Wall Street Journal, 5/1/2006 ]