Coroner: Glaxo's shyness drug is danger that must be withdrawn

Andrew Raine
319 words
21 March 2003
Newsquest Media Group Newspapers: This is Richmond
English
c Copyright 2003 Newsquest Digital Media.

BRENTFORD'S GlaxoSmithKline has been asked by a coroner to withdraw a controversial anti-depressant it manufactures, after a retired school teacher taking the drug committee committed an unexplained suicide.

Seroxat is the world's biggest selling anti-depressant, known popularly as the anti shyness pill, and makes millions of pounds for the pharmaceutical company based on the Great West Road.

But retired headteacher from Wales, Colin Whitfield killed himself within a fortnight of starting a course of the drug, adding to mounting concerns over the drug's safety.

Brecon coroner Geraint Williams, giving his verdict last week told the court: I have grave concerns that this is a dangerous drug that should be withdrawn until at least detailed national studies are undertaken.

It is my intention to write to the Department of Health and to the Secretary of State to ask him to hold an urgent inquiry into Seroxat.''

The drug has a controversial history. Two years ago, GSK, then called SmithKline Beecham, was ordered to pay (GBP)4.7 million to the family of American Donald Schell, who killed his wife, daughter, baby granddaughter and then himself, after taking Seroxat, known as Paxil in the US.

GlaxoSmithKline, which employs 500 people at it's Brentford headquarters, insisted this week that the drug was safe, citing thousands of physicians, millions of patients and over 10 years of experience worldwide.''

The company continued there was: no valid scientific research...finding that Seroxat causes suicidal thoughts or acts''.

It was also revealed this week that two members of a current inquiry into all antidepressants of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class, which includes Seroxat, held shares in GlaxoSmithKline.

Michael Donaghy, from Oxford University, and David Nutt, a professor at Bristol University have to leave the room whenever Seroxat is discussed.