Further deaths due to diabetes drug

Following on from news reports last week, Amylin Pharmaceuticals reported four further deaths amongst patients that took their diabetes drug, Byetta. However, the deaths may be attributed to other causes, with all patients suffering serious illness.
Byetta, created by Amylin and Eli Lilly, was the subject of news controversy last week when the Food and Drug Administration announced that six people taking the drug had developed acute pancreatitis. Two of these patients reportedly died.
Amylin reported all deaths to the FDA. Byetta is the top-seller for the company, and as such has not yet found to be the cause of the deaths. However, the companies are conducting a review of the cases to assess whether any association can be found. Byetta soared in popularity due to its side effect of weight loss . Whether more cases emerge and how the drug proceeds remains to be seen.