French state, Sanofi face ruling in birth defects caseSanofi has denied any wrongdoing, saying it warned health authorities of the drug's risks from the 1980sPARIS - A French court is scheduled to rule Wednesday on the responsibility of the French state in birth defects linked to an anti-epilepsy drug produced by pharmaceutical giant Sanofi. Sanofi has sold the drug valproate -- marketed as Depakine, Depakote and Stavzor, amongst other trade names -- since 1967. On Wednesday judges will decide on compensation in these three cases and the extent to which the state, its health authorities and Sanofi are responsible. During the hearing last Wednesday, the court's advisory expert said that responsibility was split three ways between the state, Sanofi and doctors who prescribed the drug. The pharmaceutical company has denied any wrongdoing, saying it warned health authorities of the drug's risks from the 1980s.

Source: Bangkok Post July 01, 2020 03:56 UTC