September 1997 Popular diet drug fen phen is banned from the market because the deadly cases of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and heart valve problems.

The FDA approves the use of Meridia diet drug (sibutramine) one year after the advisory board voted against it due to the continued concern for potential serious Meridia diet drug side effects. Abbott Laboratories marketing strategy for Meridia diet drug begins as a preemptive strike to critics by trying to differentiate their new weight loss pill from the previously recalled drug fen phen.

September 1998 On the market for one year, Meridia diet drug has already had nearly 2 million prescriptions written.

January 2001 The FDA targets pharmaceutical companies demanding changes be made in their advertising and promotional materials. Abbott Laboratories, Meridia manufacturer is one of the companies identified. The FDA felt many of the drug companies were making promises that suggested their product is more effective than evidence suggests.

March 2002 Italy is the first country to temporarily take sibutramine off the shelves, leading to a Europe-wide review of the weight loss pill. The action came after the 50 reports of health related problems associated to the use of Meridia diet drug. In Britain, two patients die, accompanying the over 200 other adverse reactions that are linked to the use of Meridia diet drug. France has received 99 reports of sibutramine side effects, including ten very serious cases. These worldwide reports prompts Canada to begin safety investigations as well.

March 19, 2002 Public Citizen petition the FDA for the immediate ban of Meridia diet drug (sibutramine). This is Public Citizen’s fifth petition since 1996. Three of the previous drugs ended up being banned and one severely restricted. Public Citizen identified the Meridia diet drug side effects to be just as alarming and dangerous to individuals as the last four drugs petitioned.

March 20, 2002 Abbott Laboratories responds to Public Citizen’s statements regarding Meridia diet drug (sibutramine) by saying that the petition was based on incorrect conclusions. Meridia diet drug is sold in 70 countries and has been used by 8.5 million people worldwide. In the U.S. alone there have been 29 deaths linked to the use of Meridia diet drug. Estimates find that fewer than 10% of the actual adverse effects experienced from prescription drugs are actually reported.

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