Alleged Ghostwritten Study by Yale Professor Adds to Paxil Controversy

A recent report indicates that a study allegedly conducted by a Yale School of Medicine faculty member was not actually written by the faculty member, who simply signed off on the study which was used in a promotional scheme for GlaxoSmithKline's anti-depression drug Paxil. The controversial study that was allegedly written to promote Paxil sales only adds to criticism surrounding Paxil, which has been linked to such serious detrimental side effects as depression and suicide, dependence including withdrawal symptoms and serious birth defects of the heart.

Litigation involving Glaxo regarding the adverse side effects associated with Paxil has been reported to have resulted in almost $2 billion in compensation paid out by the drug company. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we represent those who have suffered serious adverse effects from Paxil.

The revelation regarding the alleged deception involving the Yale study adds to prior allegations regarding Glaxo's dishonesty concerning its marketing of Paxil. Another recent article alleges that Glaxo failed to report the risk of birth defects to children of mothers taking the drug. One attorney associated with litigation surrounding Paxil indicated that Glaxo had research from the 1980s showing Paxil caused deaths among the offspring of animal test subjects, but that they did not provide clear warnings about the deaths. There also has been a substantial amount of evidence disclosed during Paxil birth defect litigation which focuses on the action of doctors on Glaxo's payroll involved in the distortion and corruption of the medical literature and seminars given to promote the off-label use of Paxil with pregnant and nursing mothers. Doctors who were on the drug company's payroll promoted this literature as scientific research as opposed to marketing material.

Senator Charles Grassley investigated payments to doctors who reportedly received six figure sums for their support and promotion of Paxil. In a statement on the Senate floor by Grassley concerning his investigation of these payments, he commented, "I have been looking at how drug companies try and influence medical care in America. Companies can do this by, for example, creating studies favorable to their drugs, by hiring doctors to promote their products, and in some cases even intimidating critics of their drugs." The problem is that this material was presented to the public and medical profession not as marketing material by a paid spokesman but as peer-reviewed literature that other doctors would rely on.

In one such academically dishonest study, Glaxo is alleged to have misrepresented the data on adverse side effects related to suicide in clinical trials as far back as 1989 to cover up the fact that trial subjects on Paxil were eight times more likely to attempt or commit suicide than patients taking a placebo. This type of egregious false and misleading marketing by Glaxo means many people who have been prescribed Paxil do not realize the dangers posed by the drug.

At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we represent clients throughout Georgia that are injured by drug companies' attempts to cover up or failure to warn of dangerous side effects to increase profits. If you or someone you love has taken Paxil and suffered serious side effects including depression, suicidal thoughts, dependence and withdrawal symptoms or heart related birth defects, contact Montlick and Associates for a free consultation to discuss your rights to compensation.

Our Georgia Paxil injury claims attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.