diet pills & suicidal ideation - patients sue Sanofi-Aventis

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Patients sue drugs firm over the diet pills that 'left them suicidal'

By Jo Mcfarlane

Last updated at 12:38 AM on 21st August 2011

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Obese patients who took a diet pill to curb their appetites are taking legal action after they claim it led to them becoming depressed and suicidal.

The Government demanded that the drug, Acomplia, be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problems.

At least one person in Britain taking the drug committed suicide and there have been nearly 1,300 reports of other psychiatric side effects, figures from the medicines watchdog show.

Action: Obese patients who took the drug Acomplia are taking legal action because they claim it left them depressed and suicidal

Many patients who had no previous mental health issues say they were forced to quit their jobs because their depression became so crippling.

Now, some of those most seriously affected are suing drug company Sanofi-Aventis for compensation in a group action which could cost it more than £300,000. It is understood Sanofi-Aventis has refused to enter negotiations to settle out of court.

Former Ministry of Defence civil servant , 50, said he

'Our clients have suffered extreme depression w2hich has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day

considered suicide after being prescribed Acomplia in February 2008 when his weight hit 25 stone. Within two months, he claims he suffered a breakdown in the office. The father of three, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said: `I was dominated by thoughts that I would be better off dead.'

Acomplia, introduced in Britain in June 2006, was not approved in the US because it was already known from early clinical trials that it could double the risk of developing depression.

A warning of such a risk was included on the product's packaging in the UK. The European Medicines Agency, which licenses the drug for use in Britain, carried out a review of the drug's side effects in 2008 and decided the risks outweighed the benefits. It found international clinical trials of the medication had recorded five cases of suicide.

More...

Diet book for girls as young as SIX branded 'irresponsible' by nutrition experts

The drug was withdrawn in January 2009. It cannot now be prescribed here but is available on the internet. By May 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency had received 2,885 reports of adverse reactions to the drug. Seven patients taking Acomplia have died. One committed suicide. There is no confirmed evidence linking any of the deaths to the drug.

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day, which is bringing the action, said: `Our clients have suffered extreme depression which has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

A spokesman for Sanofi-Aventis said: `We will not be providing a comment at this point.'

The Government demanded that the drug be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problemsRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2028399/Patients-sue-drugs-firm-diet-pills-left-suicidal.html#ixzz1Ve0b0nrA

[Guest guest]

Patients sue drugs firm over the diet pills that 'left them suicidal'

By Jo Mcfarlane

Last updated at 12:38 AM on 21st August 2011

Comments (0)

Add to My Stories

Share

Obese patients who took a diet pill to curb their appetites are taking legal action after they claim it led to them becoming depressed and suicidal.

The Government demanded that the drug, Acomplia, be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problems.

At least one person in Britain taking the drug committed suicide and there have been nearly 1,300 reports of other psychiatric side effects, figures from the medicines watchdog show.

Action: Obese patients who took the drug Acomplia are taking legal action because they claim it left them depressed and suicidal

Many patients who had no previous mental health issues say they were forced to quit their jobs because their depression became so crippling.

Now, some of those most seriously affected are suing drug company Sanofi-Aventis for compensation in a group action which could cost it more than £300,000. It is understood Sanofi-Aventis has refused to enter negotiations to settle out of court.

Former Ministry of Defence civil servant , 50, said he

'Our clients have suffered extreme depression w2hich has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day

considered suicide after being prescribed Acomplia in February 2008 when his weight hit 25 stone. Within two months, he claims he suffered a breakdown in the office. The father of three, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said: `I was dominated by thoughts that I would be better off dead.'

Acomplia, introduced in Britain in June 2006, was not approved in the US because it was already known from early clinical trials that it could double the risk of developing depression.

A warning of such a risk was included on the product's packaging in the UK. The European Medicines Agency, which licenses the drug for use in Britain, carried out a review of the drug's side effects in 2008 and decided the risks outweighed the benefits. It found international clinical trials of the medication had recorded five cases of suicide.

More...

Diet book for girls as young as SIX branded 'irresponsible' by nutrition experts

The drug was withdrawn in January 2009. It cannot now be prescribed here but is available on the internet. By May 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency had received 2,885 reports of adverse reactions to the drug. Seven patients taking Acomplia have died. One committed suicide. There is no confirmed evidence linking any of the deaths to the drug.

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day, which is bringing the action, said: `Our clients have suffered extreme depression which has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

A spokesman for Sanofi-Aventis said: `We will not be providing a comment at this point.'

The Government demanded that the drug be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problemsRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2028399/Patients-sue-drugs-firm-diet-pills-left-suicidal.html#ixzz1Ve0b0nrA

[Guest guest]

Patients sue drugs firm over the diet pills that 'left them suicidal'

By Jo Mcfarlane

Last updated at 12:38 AM on 21st August 2011

Comments (0)

Add to My Stories

Share

Obese patients who took a diet pill to curb their appetites are taking legal action after they claim it led to them becoming depressed and suicidal.

The Government demanded that the drug, Acomplia, be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problems.

At least one person in Britain taking the drug committed suicide and there have been nearly 1,300 reports of other psychiatric side effects, figures from the medicines watchdog show.

Action: Obese patients who took the drug Acomplia are taking legal action because they claim it left them depressed and suicidal

Many patients who had no previous mental health issues say they were forced to quit their jobs because their depression became so crippling.

Now, some of those most seriously affected are suing drug company Sanofi-Aventis for compensation in a group action which could cost it more than £300,000. It is understood Sanofi-Aventis has refused to enter negotiations to settle out of court.

Former Ministry of Defence civil servant , 50, said he

'Our clients have suffered extreme depression w2hich has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day

considered suicide after being prescribed Acomplia in February 2008 when his weight hit 25 stone. Within two months, he claims he suffered a breakdown in the office. The father of three, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said: `I was dominated by thoughts that I would be better off dead.'

Acomplia, introduced in Britain in June 2006, was not approved in the US because it was already known from early clinical trials that it could double the risk of developing depression.

A warning of such a risk was included on the product's packaging in the UK. The European Medicines Agency, which licenses the drug for use in Britain, carried out a review of the drug's side effects in 2008 and decided the risks outweighed the benefits. It found international clinical trials of the medication had recorded five cases of suicide.

More...

Diet book for girls as young as SIX branded 'irresponsible' by nutrition experts

The drug was withdrawn in January 2009. It cannot now be prescribed here but is available on the internet. By May 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency had received 2,885 reports of adverse reactions to the drug. Seven patients taking Acomplia have died. One committed suicide. There is no confirmed evidence linking any of the deaths to the drug.

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day, which is bringing the action, said: `Our clients have suffered extreme depression which has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

A spokesman for Sanofi-Aventis said: `We will not be providing a comment at this point.'

The Government demanded that the drug be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problemsRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2028399/Patients-sue-drugs-firm-diet-pills-left-suicidal.html#ixzz1Ve0b0nrA

[Guest guest]

Patients sue drugs firm over the diet pills that 'left them suicidal'

By Jo Mcfarlane

Last updated at 12:38 AM on 21st August 2011

Comments (0)

Add to My Stories

Share

Obese patients who took a diet pill to curb their appetites are taking legal action after they claim it led to them becoming depressed and suicidal.

The Government demanded that the drug, Acomplia, be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problems.

At least one person in Britain taking the drug committed suicide and there have been nearly 1,300 reports of other psychiatric side effects, figures from the medicines watchdog show.

Action: Obese patients who took the drug Acomplia are taking legal action because they claim it left them depressed and suicidal

Many patients who had no previous mental health issues say they were forced to quit their jobs because their depression became so crippling.

Now, some of those most seriously affected are suing drug company Sanofi-Aventis for compensation in a group action which could cost it more than £300,000. It is understood Sanofi-Aventis has refused to enter negotiations to settle out of court.

Former Ministry of Defence civil servant , 50, said he

'Our clients have suffered extreme depression w2hich has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day

considered suicide after being prescribed Acomplia in February 2008 when his weight hit 25 stone. Within two months, he claims he suffered a breakdown in the office. The father of three, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said: `I was dominated by thoughts that I would be better off dead.'

Acomplia, introduced in Britain in June 2006, was not approved in the US because it was already known from early clinical trials that it could double the risk of developing depression.

A warning of such a risk was included on the product's packaging in the UK. The European Medicines Agency, which licenses the drug for use in Britain, carried out a review of the drug's side effects in 2008 and decided the risks outweighed the benefits. It found international clinical trials of the medication had recorded five cases of suicide.

More...

Diet book for girls as young as SIX branded 'irresponsible' by nutrition experts

The drug was withdrawn in January 2009. It cannot now be prescribed here but is available on the internet. By May 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency had received 2,885 reports of adverse reactions to the drug. Seven patients taking Acomplia have died. One committed suicide. There is no confirmed evidence linking any of the deaths to the drug.

Bozena Michalowska-Howells, of law firm Leigh Day, which is bringing the action, said: `Our clients have suffered extreme depression which has had a great impact on their families and ability to work.'

A spokesman for Sanofi-Aventis said: `We will not be providing a comment at this point.'

The Government demanded that the drug be taken off the market two years ago after it was linked to severe psychiatric problemsRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2028399/Patients-sue-drugs-firm-diet-pills-left-suicidal.html#ixzz1Ve0b0nrA