Woman set to battle pharmaceutical company (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Woman set to battle pharmaceutical company

8:23am Wednesday 23rd January 2008 in Swindon By Hayley Court

A SWINDON woman is bracing herself for a court showdown with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline UK - for compensation over an addiction to antidepressant drug Seroxat.

GlaxoSmithKline is a British-based pharmaceutical, biological, and healthcare company which manufactures both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Michelle Cummins, of Wordsworth Drive, Stratton, says she has suffered undisclosed personal injuries after taking the widely prescribed antidepressant, also known as paroxetine.

So she is now launching a legal battle for damages of up to £50,000 from the manufacturers.

Ms Cummins is the latest in a group of several hundred British people who want to sue the drug manufacturer.

They are all claiming that their lives have been blighted by addictions to the drug.

The antidepressant is designed to restore the patient's happiness and confidence.

But some users have complained that they became addicted to it, while others say it has made them suicidal.

GlaxoSmithKline plans to fight the legal action.

A spokesman for the multi-billion pound company said: "We believe there is no merit in this litigation.

"Seroxat has benefited millions of people worldwide who have suffered from depression."

The legal battle has been assigned to procedural judge Master Eyre, who will decide initial stages of the case and how the action will go ahead.

A date for the case management hearing is expected to be set soon.

Meanwhile, the Government has announced an inquiry into the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor drugs, known as SSRIs, which go under brand names including Seroxat and Prozac.

The writ was issued by Hugh James Solicitors, on behalf of Dr Sarah-Jane Richards of Cardiff.

Mark Harvey, from Hugh James Solicitors said: "We are awaiting the case management hearing which we're hoping will go ahead in mid-February.

"Until then none of the complainants involved is available for comment."