UK Health Dept/ British Prime Minister/ Issue Statement Warning
No PAXIl for Children!

SEROXAT MUST NOT BE USED FOR TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH DEPRESSION ADVISORY: IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PATIENTS TAKING SEROXAT DO NOT SUDDENLY DISCONTINUE USE OF THE DRUG. ANY CHANGES MUST TAKE PLACE UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. PLEASE REFLECT THIS POSITION IN REPORTS
http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/intpress.nsf/page/2003-0223?OpenDocument

The scandal surrounding the suppression of data about the severe adverse drug related side-effects linked to SSRIs, has reached a crescendo– at least–in Britain. (see avalanche of press reports below)

After a two-week review into Seroxat (PAXIL) and other SSRI anti-depressants by the UK government’s Medicine’s and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, concluded: “It has become clear that the benefits of Seroxat in children for the treatment of depressive illnesses do not outweigh the risks.”

The agency reviewed data from nine studies – based on more than 1,000 children – which “had shown that the risk of suicidal thoughts and self harm was two to three times greater among those on Seroxat compared to those on a placebo drug.”

The British Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement today warning doctors against prescribing Seroxat (PAXIL) for children.

Below are links to the press reports.

The Alliance for Human Research Protection requests the US Food and Drug Administration to immediately investigate this lethal health hazard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRESS Statement from 10 Downing Street:
Young people advised not to use Seroxat
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page3851.asp

Wales – Western Mail:
Seroxat warning to under-18s Jun 10 2003
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0600uk/content_objectid=13053924_method=
full_siteid=50082_headline=-Seroxat-warning-to-under-18s-name_page.html

The Financial Times:
UK advises against GSK’s Seroxat for children
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c =
StoryFT&cid=1054965935914

Gloucestershire Citizen:
WARNING ON SAFETY OF SEROXAT FOR YOUNG
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=111001&command=
displayContent&sourceNode=111000&contentPK=5966848

Forbes (re Reuters):
UK says U.S. FDA evaluating data on GSK’s Seroxat
http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/newswire/2003/06/10/rtr995154.html

The Scotsman:
GSK faces fresh Seroxat woe
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/business.cfm?id=640102003

Health News:
Seroxat "not suitable for children"
http://www.health-news.co.uk/showstory.asp?id=113211

TheStreet com (financial site?)
http://www.thestreet.com/_tsclsii/markets/marketfeatures/10092473.html

Clinnix Pro: http://www.clinnixpro.net/news/article.php?id=2145

TV Channel 4: http://www.channel4.com/news/2003/06/week_2/10_pill.html

SKY NEWS: http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-12343716,00.html

SKY NEWS update: http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30400-12343716,00.html

AND TODAY’s LINKS ALREADY PLACED ON THIS SITE earlier:

ITV NEWS: http://www.itv.com/news/429246.html

BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2976498.stm

THE INDEPENDENT: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=414121

BBC RADIO LINK (probably only available today): http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/