French judges probe firms over vaccinations - possible manslaughter charges.

[mzmolly]

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL0173467120080201">REUTERS

PARIS - French authorities have opened a formal investigation into two managers from drugs groups GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Pasteur over a vaccination campaign in the 1990s, a judicial source said late on Thursday.

Judge Marie-Odile Bertella-Geffroy also opened an investigation for manslaughter against Sanofi Pasteur MSD, a joint venture between Sanofi Aventis and Merck the same source said.

The investigations follow allegations that the companies failed to fully disclose side effects from an anti-hepatitis B drug used in a vaccination campaign between 1994 and 1998.

There was no immediate comment from the companies or the two managers involved.

It will be interesting to follow this case.

[Celebration]

1. wow, manslaughter

Is this the same hepatitis vaccine that they use on babies here in the USA?

[Warpy]

2. No, they're talking about a DRUG in the OP

That sounds more like the immune globulin they give when there's been known exposure to Hep. B.

My guess is that Hep. B would have killed many more.

[mzmolly]

3. I took it to mean that the vaccine was referred to as a drug?

I can't find clarification yet, however. The article goes on to say "Some 30 plaintiffs have launched a civil action in the case, including the families of five people who died after vaccination."

[Celebration]

5. that's what I thought too

It doesn't make any sense (to me) to be giving a drug during a vaccination campaign.

[Warpy]

8. If it was, then the whole OP is suspect, to say the least

and displays abysmal medical ignorance.

[Celebration]

9. Is this more to your liking?

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYhr8CXPLlqztyu0Vijd0BiEHGnw

PARIS (AFP) — Two drug companies are facing charges in France over a hepatitis B vaccine blamed for the death of a 28-year-old woman in 1998 and which caused serious side effects among 1,300 patients.

Smithkline Beecham, now GlaxoSmithKline GSK, and Pasteur Merieux MSD-Aventis Pasteur, now Sanofi Pasteur MSD, are accused of aggravated deceit for failing to disclose the possible side effects from the vaccine, justice officials said Thursday.

Pasteur MSD is also charged with involuntary homicide in the 1998 death of Nathalie Desainquentin, who allegedly contracted multiple sclerosis from the vaccine.

More than 20 million French people were vaccinated against hepatitis B from 1994 to 1998.

Lawyer Bernard Fau representing Desainquentin's family and other victims expressed satisfaction with the decision to press charges, saying "this supports our theory that the recommended use of the vaccination was not in line with the real risks".

[mzmolly]

10. Not really. In some countries vaccines are considered drugs.

eom

[mzmolly]

4. I'm guessing that given vaccine manufacturers are limited it may be?

I'm trying to dig up more info.

The article uses the term 'drug' but speaks of a vaccination campaign, so I'm confused as to what is being referred to exactly. I think it's the vaccine itself given the following statement - Some 30 plaintiffs have launched a civil action in the case, including the families of five people who died after vaccination.

[Celebration]

7. It's the vaccine

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYhr8CXPLlqztyu0Vijd0BiEHGnw

[mzmolly]

11. Thanks, thought so.

Tip of the iceberg I imagine? But, given the blind faith in big pharma when it comes to the magic word "vaccine" it's tough to hold anyone accountable for anything.

It will be interesting to see where this goes.

[chicagomd]

6. Probably not,

since the advertising campaign they are talking about took place in the mid-1990s. At minimum the current HepB made by those companies no longer uses thimerosal as a preservative.

[mzmolly]

12. I'm not sure the issue is thimerosal?

:hi: Off to read a bit more about this.

[chicagomd]

13. It is not.

I was just responding to if it was the same vaccine we currently give kids in the US.

[mzmolly]

14. Gotcha,

thanks.