PM’s drugs vow

DRUGS giant GlaxoSmithKline will be prosecuted if an investigation finds the company withheld information that the drug Seroxat has a higher suicide risk for under 18s. This promise was made by Gordon Brown on Thursday at a Downing Street meeting with a c

DRUGS giant GlaxoSmithKline will be prosecuted if an investigation finds the company withheld information that the drug Seroxat has a higher suicide risk for under 18s.

This promise was made by Gordon Brown on Thursday at a Downing Street meeting with a campaigner from Huntingdon.

Janice Simmons, founder of the Seroxat User Group, wants to see the drug banned and patients trying to come off it given more help.

The PM stressed the investigation by the Department of Health, which has been going on for four years, was a serious inquiry.

The drugs company denies the allegation, saying Seroxat was never licensed for children.

Mrs Simmons told The Hunts Post: "Mr Brown said doctors were required to monitor patients once they are prescribed anti-depressants, but I told him that many GPs do not know what they are monitoring for. They don't understand the danger points."

Mrs Simmons, 58, from Great Stukeley, met Mr Brown along with the Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly and Dr Paul Duckett from Manchester University.

She set up her group in 2002 after discovering her second husband, Jon, was addicted to anti-depressants.

INFORMATION: You can visit the website www.seroxatusergroup.org.uk