This is a great step towards greater transparency:
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration launched a website Tuesday where patients and health care professionals can find safety information about recently approved drugs and vaccines.
On the Postmarketing Drug Safety Evaluations site, the FDA plans to share what it has learned about the safety of a new drug or biologic, such as a vaccine, 18 months after approval or after 10,000 patients have used it, whichever comes later.
Source: New FDA website lets public find drug safety info – USATODAY.com
The bottom line is that pharmaceutical companies could put drug lawyers out of business if they just told the truth about the risks of taking specific drugs. Instead, their marketing departments resist adding even the slightest warning to the package insert of a drug. At least at this new site individuals will have the chance to see what kind of adverse event reports are coming in.