why did UK lawyer (Hugh James) drop youth suicide case which could have been won?

From: Mark Harvey


Date: 06/02/2008 13:26:15

To: Jeremy Bryce

Subject: RE: ' Implementation of warnings on suicidal thoughts and behaviour in antidepressants' ..................source MHRA



Thank you for this.

The Seroxat Group Action does not involve suicide issues; only discontinuation where Seroxat is the worst of the comparator treatments."





We found some time ago that there was a Class Phenomenon for suicidal ideation and acts which meant that, together with other notable problems both in science and in law, successful litigation was unlikely. That was a decision I had to make irrespective of my personal concerns about these drugs and their links with suicidal ideation. It is noteworthy however that the original MHRA, EMEA and FDA investigations of SSRIs arose as a direct result of the focus on Seroxat and Paxil by the litigators both here and in the US and the media. That focus has highlighted the class issue.



I cannot, do not and will not talk for the various campaigners or support groups. Nor will I become involved in inter-campaigner disputes. As I have said on many occasions, every time the patients and their supporters snipe at each other it weakens their position and strengthens the Pharmaceutical Industry's.



Best wishes



Mark Harvey