GSK To Yield Over Cases of Suicide
Jun 21, 2003 | The Times GLAXOSMITHKLINE, the world’s second largest drugs group, is expected to start making out-of-court settlements in America in cases where patients taking the antidepressant Paxil claim to have become suicidal.The move comes after a case that went to court in Wyoming three years ago, where a jury awarded $8 million (£4.8 million) against GSK after a man taking Paxil sold in the UK as Seroxat killed his wife and other family members before committing suicide.It is thought that a dozen cases connecting Paxil with suicide have been brought in America.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said this week that it was “reviewing reports of a possible increased risk of suicidal thinking and suicide attempts in children” using Paxil, a drug which is not approved in the US for the treatment of under-18s.
The FDA, in a move that comes after the recent decision by UK drug regulators, said doctors should not prescribe Paxil to under-18s.
But the FDA said: “There is no evidence that Paxil is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thinking in adults.”
GSK has also consistently said that there is no link between Paxil and suicide.
Last October GSK surprised the City by announcing a £145 million provision to cover previously unexpected legal costs.










