Mental Health Blogs

A Pennsylvania jury earlier today found GlaxoSmithKline liable for heart defects caused to a young boy whose mother was taking the company’s anti-depressant Paxil while pregnant. The jury awarded the boy’s family $2.5 million. Plaintiff’s attorneys had argued that Paxil had caused the defects and had failed to properly test the drug and, while knowing of its ability to cause defects, had failed to warn consumers properly.

This is a significant ruling because it’s the first time GSK has been found liable in a birth defects case and because there are abut 600 more similar cases awaiting trial.

GSK’s lawyers said they would appeal the verdict. The company issued a statement:

“‘While we sympathize with Lyam Kilker and his family, the scientific evidence does not establish that exposure to Paxil during pregnancy caused his condition. Very unfortunately, birth defects occur in three to five percent of all live births, whether or not the mother was taking medication during pregnancy,’ the company’s statement said.”

Good luck with that appeal.

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Related posts:

1. More Paxil Birth Defects Case Documents Available
2. Court Rules Glaxo Must Reveal Paxil Birth Defects Emails
3. Three Women Sue Over Paxil Birth Defects In Their Kids
4. Paxil Birth Defects Testimony Now Online
5. Glaxo Negligent, Not Outrageous