A WOMAN is claiming damages of up to £50,000 for personal injuries she suffered from using an antidepressant.
Solicitors on behalf of Linda Forster, of Park Lane, Birdsedge, have served a High Court Writ against drugs company GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd (GSK)
It is claimed Forster suffered as a result of using Seroxat, an antidepressant which is manufactured by the company.
Since it was first prescribed to patients in 1990, Seroxat has been linked to at least 50 suicides.
The drug was taken by an estimated 50,000 British youngsters before being banned for patients under 18 in 2003.
A documentary on BBC’s Panorama in 2007 claimed GSK had covered up evidence gathered about the drug’s safety.
Scrutiny of thousands of documents and emails from the company revealed it had fears about the drug’s safety years earlier.
The data was handed to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) in May 2003.
It suggested there was a higher risk of suicidal behaviour among Under 18s using the antidepressant and it was not useful in treating depression in the people in that age group.
Mark Harvey, a partner at law firm Hugh James who is representing Mrs Forster, said last year: “When patients took the drug, not only was there no warning of withdrawal problems, there was also a statement on the data sheet until about 2003 which said you cannot be addicted to Seroxat.
“Unfortunately many people are having difficulties as they try to withdraw from the drug, and there are a few who have not been able to stop taking it.”
A spokesman for GSK said: “The company remains of the view that there is no merit in this litigation and we will continue to rigorously defend the case.
“Seroxat has benefited millions of people worldwide who have suffered from depression.”
In the United States, GSK was sued by the New York state attorney general for $2.5m (£1.25m) and the company agreed to publish all its trial results.
Huddersfield’s Mrs Forster will be among others going forward under a group litigation order.
It is not yet known when the case will be heard at the High Court.
Alison Cobb, from The National Association for Mental Health (MIND) said in some cases the risks of the drug had outweighed the pros.
