PAGE AFTER PAGE OF SEROXAT COMPLAINTS...
The 248 page document is a fascinating read. MP's, Ministers and patients all writing to the MHRA about Seroxat, GlaxoSmithKline's not so wonderful antidepressant.
Amongst the myriad of letters, emails, FOI requests was the one pictured above.
Some complete buffoon asking if the MHRA had taken appropriate steps to ensure that the Seroxat User Group and Online Seroxat Support Group were bona fide patient groups!
Not only that, this mindless moron was requesting copies of association (or other like meaning documents) for both the Seroxat User Group and the Online Seroxat Support Group!
I find it difficult to believe that in this day and age one person could be so wrapped up in trying to belittle patient support groups because his/her particular choice of drug has not had the publicity that Seroxat has had... and still continues to have. At least that's why I think this person with an obsession against Seroxat campaigners seeks to gain this information from the MHRA under the FOI.
In the main, the document clearly highlights the frustrations of patients wanting answers... so much so that a lot of them have lobbied their MP's to help them get answers.
Page after page of angry, frustrated patients wanting to know why they have struggled at the hands of GlaxoSmithKline's wonder drug, Seroxat. A drug highlighted four times on BBC TV's Panorama. A drug robustly defended by GlaxoSmithKline's Alistair Benbow and the MHRA's Chairman, Alasdair Breckenridge. A drug that STILL tops the list of adverse reactions for SSRi's despite the declining prescriptions written for patients here in the UK.
Seroxat has caused many hardships for families. Has caused patient suffering and families un-needed grief as they mourn the death of a loved one. It has been the subject that undoubtedly has kept the MHRA busy in paperwork and patient advocate meetings. It has taken the investigative skills of Shelly Jofre [BBC Panorama] and the professionalism of Charles Medawar and Dr. David Healy to speak out against Seroxat. It has taken patients wanting answers to the edge of insanity as they have sat back and watched GlaxoSmithKline continue to pimp the pill.
The 248 page document released by the MHRA speaks loud and clear and does nothing but tarnish the name of GlaxoSmithKline.
Personally, I beleive, the MHRA communications has improved somewhat since I first started writing this blog, in fact it was shortly after their 4 year investigation into GSK's paediatric trials that the MHRA sprung into action. Being shown up by an arse of a law and by GlaxoSmithKline, the MHRA sat with patients, myself included, and I believe for the first time they actually understood that this was a problem that was not going away. It's a problem that still exists but is gradually unfolding and putting to rest the embarrassment caused by not being able to prosecute GSK and having a Chairman publicly defend Seroxat.
I would like to thank the Communications Officer at the MHRA, John Watkins, for opening a door that for many years had been shut tight. The MHRA have an awful long way to go in putting right the wrongs. Seroxat is one of many drugs that has not been regulated properly. Blogs could, perversely, be the saving grace for the MHRA now that they are aware just how influential they can be in spreading the word about bad [defective] drugs. If drugs are to be regulated properly then the MHRA MUST demand ALL the data including the raw data. Maybe, that will be their next course of action?
I'll finish off this post by saying that there ARE patients addicted to Seroxat. It does not matter how one defines the word 'addicted'. I sincerely hope these patients can be helped.
Blogs are influential according the the MHRA report. Now the MHRA have to show their influence to the powers that be that can help these addicts successfully taper off this controversial antidepressant.
The ball has finally started rolling down the corridors of the MHRA building. I hope they keep the momentum going because if they don't there are many bloggers, investigative reporters and SSRi experts who will.
To the person requesting information under the FOI regarding the Seroxat User Group and the Online Seroxat Support Group, you should really be ashamed of yourself for allowing jealousy to stand in the way of logic.
As always, this post is open for your comments.
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
PAPERBACK COMING SOON
3 comments: