SARA CARLIN INQUEST - What The Jury Should Know

Image: Sara Carlin

Much has been made about Sara Carlin's drinking, so much so that Glaxo's lawyers, doctor's lawyers and witnesses and even the Coroner's Counsel have all used it to try to [1] Discredit Sara Carlin and [2] Protect Paxil, Health Canada, GlaxoSmithKline and the doctor's that prescribed Paxil to Sara.

Here's a story from Slate entitled, Extroverted Like Me. How a month and a half on Paxil taught me to love being shy.

Extracts

Paragraph 16 reads: "Day 25: A pattern is emerging. Since starting on Paxil, I've been drinking like a fish. For some reason, vitamin P combines incredibly well with alcohol. It's more fun to drink than it was before. I want to be drunk every night. I don't get hung over now, and I remain pretty lucid even when sloshed."

Paragraph 22 through 24 read: "Day 35: Drinking a lot, several nights a week. Liquor + Paxil = Wow!

"Pre-Paxil, I was a social drinker. Now I'm walking a mile in someone else's brain chemistry. I can see why some of you like to drink so much, maybe even need to drink so much. It's fun for me now, in a way it just wasn't before. On liquor and Paxil, strangers mean novelty, not fear. Group conversations are a chance to play raconteur, not a chance to smile weakly and shut up."

"And it's so much better than sobriety. Sober for me these days means extreme detachment. Movies, once a favorite hobby, do nothing for me now. Likewise booksI just don't connect with the plots or characters. I can't recall laughing (while sober) in the past couple of weeks. I'm never sad, but never happy. Why wouldn't I drink?"

The closing arguments will be heard tomorrow. The Jury will listen intentively then will depart for deliberation.

The five person jury have an ideal opportunity to make change in the way Paxil and all other antidepressant medication is prescribed off-label to children and adolescents.

GlaxoSmithKline and Health Canada will not make these changes without the jury's recommendations. They will continue to pass the buck and bury their heads in the sand.

It's time for change - put Canada on the map and save the lives of future Sara Carlin's.


The following are all from the excellent resource website, SSRi Stories.

Health Canada need to take a look at this website.


Suicide Paxil
2005-04-09
Virginia
14 Year Old Girl Kills Self

Murder-Suicide Paxil
1997-04-14
California
Father Drowns Two Children: Kills Self: Lawsuit

Suicide Attempt & Rages Paxil
2002-03-18
Pennsylvania
9 Year Old Girl Becomes Worse on Meds

Violence & Suicide Attempt Paxil
1999-01-05
Michigan
11 Year Old Boy is Violent & Suicidal on Paxil

Suicide Paxil
2004-02-09
Idaho
12 Year Old Girl Commits Suicide

Suicide Paxil
2008-02-03
California
13 Year Old Kills Self: Lawsuit: Dismissed Because of State Law

Suicide Paxil
2007-06-13
Indiana 14 Year Old Commits Suicide: Lawsuit

Suicide Attempt Paxil
2001-05-15
New Jersey
14 Year Old Girl Attempts Suicide

Suicide Attempt & Self-Mutilation Paxil
2005-01-16
Texas
16 Year Old Girl Self Mutilates: Also Attempts Suicide

Suicide [Lawsuit] Paxil
2008-09-06
Pennsylvania
16 Year Old Kills Self: Judge Strikes Down Pre-Emption Ruling: Lawsuit Moves Forward

Suicide Paxil
2005-02-01
Canada
16 Year Old: Paxil Still in Body 2 Months After Discontinuing Drug

Suicide Paxil
1999-04-01
Utah
17 Year Old Jumps From Freeway Bridge

Suicide Paxil [Seroxat in UK]
2004-11-07
England 18 Year Old Begins Self-Mutilation on Paxil: Kills Self

Suicide Paxil [Seroxat in UK]
2006-03-17
England 18 Year Old Girl Dies; Mother Campaigns

Suicide Paxil
2006-06-29
Ohio
19 Year Old Commits Suicide After Drastic Behavioral Change

Suicide Paxil [Seroxat in UK]
2001-11-15
England 19 Year Old Commits Suicide: Parents on Panorama Show: BBC

Suicide Paxil
2003-07-23
New York
20 Year Old Jumps from 24th Floor

Suicide Paxil
2005-11-28
Tennessee
20 Year Old Shoots Self; Lawsuit Filed

Suicide-By-Cop Paxil
2002-04-11
Georgia
21 Year Old Man Possibly Commits Suicide-By-Cop

Suicide Paxil
2003-12-05
Rhode Island
22 Year Old Woman Kills Self

Suicide Paxil
2010-02-23
Pennsylvania
23 Year Old Kills Herself in 2003: Lawsuit Decided Today

Suicide Paxil
2008-08-20
Wyoming
23 Year Old Woman Kills Self: Mother Starts a Non-Profit Organization

Suicide Paxil
2002-01-15
California
25 Year Old Woman Commits Suicide: Was Possibly Sleepwalking

Related Videos:

Footage from CHCH TV, Hamilton, Ontario



Footage from CHCH TV, Hamilton, Ontario





On May 6, 2007, Sara Carlin, a beautiful 18-year-old girl with everything to live for, grabbed a piece of electrical wiring, fashioned a crude noose and hanged herself in the basement of her parents house while under the influence of the antidepressant drug Paxil (Seroxat in the UK). Paxil/Seroxat is an antidepressant documented by international drug regulatory agencies as causing worsening depression and suicide particularly in children and young adults.

Please help inform others of the risks of these drugs. Forward this video to everyone you know.

RIP Sara Alison Carlin

Nessun Dorma



Back stories:


Sara Carlin Inquest – Latest

Sara Carlin Inquest – Failure of Oakville Medical Profession

Sara Carlin – ‘Death by Paxil’ Inquest – The ‘Expert’

Sara Carlin Inquest – Coroner’s Witness In U-Turn… And That Man Shaffer!

SARA CARLIN Ontario, Canada

Coroner’s Inquest – Glaxo & Friends Vs The Carlin Family

Sara Carlin Inquest – Local MP Slams GlaxoSmithKline

SARA CARLIN PAXIL INQUEST VIDEO FOOTAGE

SARA CARLIN PAXIL INQUEST GLOBAL TV NEWS


Fid

ORDER THE PAPERBACK
'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
SIGNED COPIES HERE OR UNSIGNED FROM CHIPMUNKA PUBLISHING

SARA CARLIN PAXIL INQUEST GLOBAL TV NEWS

More coverage of the Sara Carlin Inquest in Canada. This footage sees Sara's father, Neil, speak out and also Oakville MP, Terence Young.

In 2007, Sara Carlin was found in the basement of her family home hanging from the noose of electrical wiring. She had been prescribed Paxil "off-label" one year previous.

It's time for change. It's time for the medicine regulators around the world to show the public that we really are being protected from dangerous drugs such as GlaxoSmithKline's Paxil.

RIP Sara Alison Carlin

Footage from Global TV Canada

Apologies for the video being slightly out of synch.



Back stories:


Sara Carlin Inquest – Latest

Sara Carlin Inquest – Failure of Oakville Medical Profession

Sara Carlin – ‘Death by Paxil’ Inquest – The ‘Expert’

Sara Carlin Inquest – Coroner’s Witness In U-Turn… And That Man Shaffer!

SARA CARLIN Ontario, Canada

Coroner’s Inquest – Glaxo & Friends Vs The Carlin Family

Sara Carlin Inquest – Local MP Slams GlaxoSmithKline

SARA CARLIN PAXIL INQUEST VIDEO FOOTAGE

Fid

ORDER THE PAPERBACK
'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
SIGNED COPIES HERE OR UNSIGNED FROM CHIPMUNKA PUBLISHING

EXCLUSIVE - SARA CARLIN PAXIL INQUEST VIDEO FOOTAGE

Image: Sara Carlin

For all of the Sara Carlin inquest articles in chronological order - Download PDF HERE

Sara Carlin was killed by an electrical cord she wrapped around her neck with her own hands.

That's how the beautiful 18-year-old Oakville teen died May 6, 2007.

But that sad day was only the beginning of a two-year quest by her family to find out if Paxil, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant she was prescribed, helped open an otherwise closed door to suicide.

On day one of the inquest, Coroner's Counsel, Michael Blain, went in front of TV camera's during a short recess in the proceedings. The Courts, he said, acknowledge that this medication can increase thoughts of suicide in particular patients but 'they' don't think that the medication played a role in Sara Carlin's death."

Why would the courts think that before they even had a chance to see all the evidence?

Furthermore, why would the Coroners Counsel appear in front of TV camera's to make this claim?

Footage from CHCH TV, Hamilton, Ontario



On the final day of the Sara Carlin 'Death by Paxil' inquest, Oakville MP, Terence Young testified that patients must be educated about the dangerous side effects of drugs and the possibility of using alternate non-drug treatments.

Lawyer Teresa Walsh, representing Paxil’s makers, GlaxoSmithKline, queried Young on Sara Carlin’s alcohol consumption two years before taking Paxil.

Young balked at the questions, refusing to answer them and noting by Grade 10 alcohol use is widespread.

“It’s irrelevant. You’re planting the earworm (idea) that it’s the alcohol, everything but the Paxil,” replied Young.

You will note from this footage, the complete look of anguish and despair on the faces of Sara's parents, Neil and Rhonda Carlin.

No parent should lose a child to prescription drugs. Furthermore, no parent should have to endure an inquest where lawyers representing the makers of that prescription drug, GlaxoSmithKline, doctors lawyers and even Coroner's Counsel blame the child rather than the medication.

Footage from CHCH TV, Hamilton, Ontario






Back stories:


Sara Carlin Inquest – Latest

Sara Carlin Inquest – Failure of Oakville Medical Profession

Sara Carlin – ‘Death by Paxil’ Inquest – The ‘Expert’

Sara Carlin Inquest – Coroner’s Witness In U-Turn… And That Man Shaffer!

SARA CARLIN Ontario, Canada

Coroner’s Inquest – Glaxo & Friends Vs The Carlin Family

Sara Carlin Inquest – Local MP Slams GlaxoSmithKline

Fid

ORDER THE PAPERBACK
'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
SIGNED COPIES HERE OR UNSIGNED FROM CHIPMUNKA PUBLISHING

Sara Carlin Inquest - Local MP Slams GlaxoSmithKline

Image: Sara Carlin

It's one of them moments where I wished I was a public citizen of Canada. It was a moment that this inquest has been crying out for - someone to tell it like it is.

Enter witness for the Carlin family, Terence Young MP.

I've wrote about Terence before on this blog, or rather the book he wrote entitled, 'Death By Prescription' - my review of this outstanding yet harrowing book can be read on Amazon.

In a nutshell, Terence's daughter, Vanessa, was just 15 when she was prescribed Prepulsid for an eating disorder.

A drug manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

Terence's story echoes that of Sara Carlin in many ways.

Like Paxil, the Prepulsid side effects were played down its manufacturers.

Like Sara, Vanessa was prescribed this medication off-label by her doctor.

Like the Carlin family, the Young's were never given any warning about the more 'severe' side effects of a drug their daughter had been prescribed.

The two leading newspapers in Ontario reported on yesterday's events at the inquest. The Oakville Beaver, which for the majority of it's coverage has ran with one-sided headlines, and the Toronto Sun, which yesterday ran with the headline, 'MP takes war on drugs to inquest.' The Beaver opting for a more bland headline in, 'Young testifies at Carlin inquest.'

Terence is a father who experienced his daughter die right in front of him. The Carlin's are a family who witnessed their daughter slowly spiral into decline until eventually finding her in the basement of their home hanging from a noose made up of wiring.

I want you all to digest that. It's brutal isn't it. Unthinkable and God forbid we ever have to experience anything like that.

Because many reading this will not have experienced the death of a child this shouldn't make us all turn the other cheek. We should all learn from Sara's inquest. We should all see how pharmaceutical companies and medicine regulators pass the buck and take no responsibility in the drugs they manufacture and grant licence to.

Since covering this tragic case, I have been contacted by many both via email and on Facebook.

Sara's video I created has been viewed over 300 times in just 24 hours, it's made people cry and respond with their stories regarding Paxil and other SSRi type drugs.

Of course, you will always get the odd comment from folk that have had no problem with taking Paxil or withdrawing from it - same way you get smokers who live well into their 80's.

Fact is, Paxil has received so much attention in the media both here and in the United States, the attention hasn't been that favourable.

This inquest is, in essence, to protect children and adolescents in the future. It's a chance for the jury to make recommendations to protect the public.

From day one, GlaxoSmithKline lawyers, doctor's lawyers and even Coroner's Counsel have been so side-tracked by protecting themselves that they really cannot... do not wish to grasp the bigger picture.

The Oakville Beaver also has to take responsibility with it's eye catching pro-Paxil headlines too. They have a responsibility to report to the general public about the dangers of these drugs - much of what the Beaver has wrote has been about Sara's use of alcohol and illegal drugs - they, like the lawyers, it seems, are not protecting any child that may be prescribed Paxil in the future.

Yesterday saw Terence Young eloquently put his position across.

This from the Beaver:

Young spoke of some of the adverse reactions listed on GlaxoSmithKline's product monograph, such as akathisia.

"Akathisia has been described as a horrible torture where you feel like you want to crawl out of your own skin. It's just a living nightmare. It also says Paxil can cause alcohol abuse and depersonalization. This (depersonalization) is perhaps the worst one where you feel like you're watching yourself, but you can't stop what you're doing," said Young.

"We know Paxil causes nightmares."

At this point Paxil manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline's lawyer Teresa Walsh called on the Coroner to restrict Young to the topics he was called to the inquest to testify about.

You see, the mere mention of yet another side-effect, in this instance Akathisia, had the Glaxo lawyer screaming OBJECTION [metaphorically].

Why?

Because GlaxoSmithKline don't want this out in public, it's another adverse reaction Glaxo have played down over the years. It adds more credence to the reasons why Sara did what she did - by objecting, Glaxo lawyer, Teresa Walsh, was merely suppressing the truth from being outed.

I only hope the jury can see past this.

Finally Terence Young hit the nail on the head when he was cross-examined by Walsh.

This from the Toronto Sun:

Lawyer Teresa Walsh, representing Paxil’s makers, queried Young on Sara Carlin’s alcohol consumption two years before taking Paxil.

Young balked at the questions, refusing to answer them and noting by Grade 10 alcohol use is widespread.

“It’s irrelevant. You’re planting the earworm (idea) that it’s the alcohol, everything but the Paxil,” replied Young, who was warned by the coroner to simply answer Walsh’s questions.

GlaxoSmithKline hire the best lawyers money can buy, they have to.

It has occurred to me that there is information Glaxo wish to keep out of the public domain when they hire lawyers to defend the death of a child, an adult or withdrawal effects caused by Paxil - hence the reason they have paid out $1.1 billion dollars in the US alone in out of court settlements and other cases where they have tried to defend Paxil - Schell & Kilker

The Oakville Beaver article can be read HERE

The article from the Toronto Sun, HERE

The inquest concludes Monday with closing arguments.

I'm burned out writing about this inquest - reading about this inquest and what the Carlin's are having to go through is harrowing.

I'm merely a blogger who has been trying to point out the dangers of this drug for the past four years. I'm a member of the public who has took issue with the lack of protection users of Paxil and other SSRi's are getting from the UK regulator, the MHRA.

I hope they are keeping an eye on events in this case. I hope Kent Woods, Sara Morgan and Simon Gregor, three employees of the MHRA I have sat and discussed the issue of withdrawal with, are all sleeping with clear consciences and can return to work on Monday with their heads held high, safe in the knowledge that they have done everything they can to protect children, adolescents and adults in the UK from Seroxat and it's severe side effects.

On May 6, 2007, Sara Carlin, a beautiful 18-year-old girl with everything to live for, grabbed a piece of electrical wiring, fashioned a crude noose and hanged herself in the basement of her parents house while under the influence of the antidepressant drug Paxil (Seroxat in the UK). Paxil/Seroxat is an antidepressant documented by international drug regulatory agencies as causing worsening depression and suicide particularly in children and young adults.

Please help inform others of the risks of these drugs. Forward this video to everyone you know.

RIP Sara Alison Carlin

Nessun Dorma





Fid

ORDER THE PAPERBACK
'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
SIGNED COPIES HERE OR UNSIGNED FROM CHIPMUNKA PUBLISHING