Sara was a graduate of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School and an Ontario Scholar when she took her own life after being prescribed Seroxat, despite the fact that this particular antidepressant had been banned for use in patients of her age group.
On Sunday, May 6, 2007, Sara, who had been suffering adverse side effects from Seroxat, took her own life. I have wrote about this case before here and here.
Her father Neil and mother Rhonda have been campaigning tirelessly for over a year to find answers so this cannot happen to other children and so good, loving parents to not have to experience the heartache of losing a child as a result of inadequate drug regulations, ignorant doctors and psychiatrists and a non caring pharmaceutical company by the name of GlaxoSmithKline.
Yesterday, their local newspaper, The Oakville Beaver, ran a story regarding Neil and Rhonda's campaigning for a full inquest to be heard regarding their daughters untimely death.
It seems the Regional Supervising Coroner, Dr. David Evans, has denied their request for a public inquest claiming that 'an inquest must serve the public interest' and 'such an inquest into Sara’s death would not do that.' He also said a jury would not make useful recommendations that could prevent similar deaths in the future.
Well, I have a question for the Regional Supervising Coroner, Dr. David Evans. Who on earth do you think you are playing Judge and Jury? How dare you take away the right of any grieving parent because YOU think this incident does not serve the public interest. How dare you voice the opinion of a jury before any such case is presented to them!
The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario [OCCO] should be ashamed of themselves for such a wanton disregard for protecting the public from further deaths as a result of not only Seroxat but any other SSRi that is prescribed to both minors and adults. For one, GlaxoSmithKline's Seroxat, DOES NOT correct a chemical imbalance, that in itself is a fraudulent claim and should raise alarm bells for any body set up to protect the public. It was marketed in such a way that any doctor prescribing it would feel safe in the knowledge that the patient would not suffer at the hands of it.
What is even more sickening about this whole episode is the total lack of sympathy shown by GlaxoSmithKline. There is always some Muppet who makes a statement on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline when anything bad is written or spoken about Seroxat. In this instance it's Peter Schram, of Corporate Communications, GlaxoSmithKline.
In a statement he said: " Paroxetine has been used by tens of millions of patients and has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment since its launch more than 15 years ago. The label contains instructions regarding the use of paroxetine and important safety information about the product. If patients have questions regarding the use of paroxetine, or the management of their depression, they should contact their health care professional."
“Also, it is very important that patients do not stop taking paroxetine without first consulting with their doctor.”
I've news for you Schram. Sara WAS being treated for depression with YOUR drug. It was YOUR drug that did not do what you and your company alleged it would, correct the imbalance and cure her of her depression. In fact, it did the complete opposite.
Something else I would like to pick you up on as well Schram is you recommend patients should see their health professional if they have questions regarding paroxetine [Seroxat/Paxil]. Why?
What does a health professional know about SSRi withdrawal? As far as I am aware, no doctor has ever had any training regarding Seroxat withdrawal because YOUR company won't even acknowledge that it exists! It was Mary Anne- Rhyne from GlaxoSmithKline who said in 2005, "If ‘discontinuation reactions’ occur in patients stopping [Paxil], the majority will experience symptoms that are mild to moderate in intensity, and are usually limited to two weeks."
If that is guidance for health professionals then GlaxoSmithKline are responsible for the death of Sara Carlin, not her health professional.
I sincerely hope Neil and Rhonda get the inquest they deserve and the Canadian public are warned about the dangers of Seroxat [Paxil] because if this ignorance continues then there will be a lot more parents going through the pain and suffering that Neil and Rhonda are currently experiencing.
Seroxat Sufferers Blog hereby awards The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario [OCCO], in particular, the Regional Supervising Coroner, Dr. David Evans, the Seroxat Sufferers Dumbass Award.
What a bunch of uncaring bastards you are!
Fid
Read the new book, The Evidence, However, Is Clear...The Seroxat Scandal
By Bob Fiddaman
ISBN: 978-1-84991-120-7
CHIPMUNKA PUBLISHING
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE
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