Last Updated Sat, 19 Jun 2004 0:19:28
NEW YORK - A major drug company in the United States said it will now post
the results of its drugs trials on the internet.
GlaxoSmithKline announced the move on Friday. Two weeks ago, the attorney
general of New York filed a fraud lawsuit against the company, saying Glaxo
withheld critical clinical information.
The lawsuit said Glaxo suppressed four studies on its antidepressant Paxil
that showed a possible increased risk of suicidal behaviour in young
patients.
Glaxo has denied the allegations, saying it has already posted the studies
that it is accused of suppressing on its website.
Last week, the company said it had already provided its Paxil clinical data
to drug regulators and published the results in peer-reviewed journals,
poster presentations at scientific meetings and letters to doctors.
Three days ago, the American Medical Association called on the U.S.
government to create a public registry for all clinical trials, including
unfavourable results.
Glaxo said it has been considering an online registery for months and the
decision to announce it was not a reaction to the lawsuit but to the AMA
resolution.
FROM JUNE 3, 2004: Health Canada strengthens antidepressant warning
The database will provide summaries of trial protocols and results of
company-sponsored trials of marketed medicines, the company said in a
release. Glaxo will announce the registry is available when it goes online.
Drug regulators in the U.K. have banned the use of most antidepressants in
the same class of Paxil for children.
Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warn people of all
ages who take the newer types of antidepressants that they may experience
behavioural and emotional changes that may increase the risk of harming
themselves or others.
Written by CBC News Online staff
H e a d l i n e s : S c i - t e c h
Copyright � CBC 2004
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