Public Must Be Able To Have Trust In Medicines, UK

Main Category: Mental Health
Article Date: 07 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PST

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Mental health charity Mind responded to the MHRA's ruling on GlaxoSmithKline.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said:

"Mind welcomes news that the Government is to increase drug companies' responsibility to pass on clinical trials information. We look forward to discussions with ministers to ensure that patients' interests are best served. We hope that the legislation will pass quickly through Parliament; this is far too important to be delayed any longer.

"There can be no excuses from the pharmaceutical industry. The public must be able to have trust and confidence in the medicines they are taking. We need to be sure that the tragedies associated with Seroxat can never happen again. The best way to achieve this is for drug companies to publish all clinical trials data, making it available for scrutiny and review, and to inform prescribing decisions.

"The Health Committee's 2005 report on the influence of the pharmaceutical industry made powerful recommendations. We hope that both the Health Committee and the Government will be able to revisit those recommendations soon."

Mind first drew attention to the problems of Seroxat in the 1990s.

- The Seroxat timeline
- Further background information on Seroxat

If you are stopping taking medication it is advisable to reduce the dose gradually, as it is difficult to predict who will have problems withdrawing. It is worth getting as much information and support as you can, and involving your doctor wherever possible.

- Information about withdrawal from Seroxat

Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Mind values its independence, and accepts no funding or donations from pharmaceutical companies.

http://www.mind.org.uk