Drugs firm wanted to double Seroxat sales
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Documents have emerged showing how the makers of an antidepressant drug planned to double sales by marketing it as a cure for minor anxieties.
Documents have emerged showing how the makers of an antidepressant drug planned to double sales by marketing it as a cure for minor anxieties.
Use of Seroxat, which has been linked to suicides, would have been extended to conditions treated without drugs in plans by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.
The 250-page marketing strategy has been passed to the House of Commons Health Select Committee, which is investigating the drugs industry.
Called Towards the Second Billion - a nod to Seroxat's sales of $1bn (£540m) - the 1998 paper suggests that people with common phobias could be persuaded to take the drug.
Doctors said phobias were renamed as "social anxiety disorders" to suggest that they could be treated with tablets.
Professor David Healy, of Cardiff University, said: "The thrust was to move sales to $2bn by pushing it to people who were not clinically depressed."
Mental health campaigners said the document raised concerns about how pharmaceutical companies market drugs and influence medical research.
Since its launch 14 years ago, millions of adults and children in Britain have taken Seroxat. Prescription to children was banned last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments