Now, after lots of deliberations, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended in favor of the drug Multaq. It was stated that the very drug should be approved for sale in the United States to treat the common heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. However it should be remembered that it was the same FDA, who in 2006 rejected Multaq on account of a study that discovered the drug was the omnipotent reason behind the increase in the risk of death and cardiovascular problems. What’s more, the drug maker Sanofi-Aventis SA was told to conduct an additional and thorough study.

Let’s concentrate on Multaq (dronedarone). Dronedarone (brand name Multaq) happens to be an investigational new treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation, which has been discovered and developed by sanofi-aventis for the prevention and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. In addition, dronedarone is a multi-channel blocker that affects calcium, potassium and sodium channels and has anti-adrenergic properties. It ought to be remembered that dronedarone does not contain the iodine radical and did not show any evidence of thyroid or pulmonary toxicity in clinical trials.

Sanofi-aventis, on the other hand, is a foremost global pharmaceutical company that is committed to the path of discovery, development and distribution of therapeutic solutions for the sake of improving the lives of human beings.

What has led to the change in perception? The new study, after thorough researches, has concluded that patients taking Multaq had a 24 percent decrease in the combined risk of hospitalization for heart problems and death from any cause. It was only on the last year when Sanofi resubmitted its application for FDA approval of the drug.

Well, the panel consisted of external medical experts and on the basis of a 10-3 vote it recommended FDA approval of Multaq. Is it an obligation for FDA to approve this? No but FDA follows recommendations of advisory panels, in most cases.