Zantac Lawsuit


Researching drug company and regulatory malfeasance for over 16 years
Humanist, humorist

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

GSK's Statement of Spin - Paxil Birth Defects.

Image: topnews.in


News filtered through in late November that GlaxoSmithKline had apparently received a favourable judgement in a case alleging that use of Paxil during pregnancy caused 14-year-old Anna Blyth to be born with certain cardiac birth defects.

In a media release on the GSK website, Glaxo claim that "...it acted properly and responsibly in researching and studying Paxil, including sharing documentation and submitting results from studies on Paxil to regulators."

What GSK conveniently fail to mention is the reason why this particular case seemingly collapsed.

Inside sources tell me that the Blyth case was dismissed on a legal technicality. The Judge [Judge Glazer] believed that the prescribing doctor’s testimony [that he might not have prescribed Paxil had he been properly warned of Paxil birth defect risks] was necessary in this case. Sadly, the doctor is deceased and his testimony could not be obtained so the judge granted GSK’s motion to dismiss the case.

The GSK statement also fails to mention that the ruling by Judge Glazer is currently under appeal.

In other words, GSK's media statement has been spun in such a way that it appears Paxil is pretty safe for use during pregnancy and played no part in Anna Blyth being born with certain cardiac birth defects...at least, that's the impression it gives me upon reading it.

I do wish GSK would release all the facts occasionally!

Related stories: KILKER v GLAXOSMITHKLINE COURT DOCUMENTS

Fid

ORDER THE PAPERBACK
'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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