Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Drugs giant attacked over dangers of anti-depressant drug

Health regulators have criticised drugs firm Glaxosmithkline (GSK) for withholding information over the risk of suicide relating to one of its anti-depressant drugs.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said today it remained concerned that GSK failed to raise the alarm earlier over the side-effects of Seroxat.

Government prosecutors have ruled that there is no realistic prospect of getting a conviction over the issue.

But new legislation ensuring drugs companies pass on results of clinical trials promptly is to be introduced, public health minister Dawn Primarolo told Parliament.

Seroxat is the most frequently-prescribed anti-depressant in the UK, but there have been complaints that it triggers suicidal feelings in some patients.

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