The Sanofi laboratory was condemned for “failure to provide information” on the risks of malformations and developmental delays in children caused by this antiepileptic drug prescribed to pregnant women.
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“It’s a very big victory. I’m still overwhelmed and in shock.”reacts whistleblower Marine Martin, guest on franceinfo Tuesday September 10, after her legal victory against Sanofi in the Depakine scandal. “Twelve years of proceedings, it was monstrous. It was a fight of extraordinary harshness”insists Marine Martin.
The Sanofi laboratory was ordered on Monday by the Paris court to pay nearly 285,000 euros in compensation to Marine Martin and her two children for “lack of information” on the risks of malformations and developmental delays in children caused by this antiepileptic drug prescribed to pregnant women, the newspaper revealed The World. Marketed since 1967, tens of thousands of children are affected, according to the Medicines Authority.
This legal victory “opens the door to thousands of victims”showing them that the ten-year limitation period is not “impassable”assures Marine Martin, also head of the association for Help for Parents of Children Suffering from Anticonvulsant Syndrome (Apesac). “It’s also a courageous decision on the part of the Paris court, because we’re facing a big pharma. It was really David versus Goliath.”greets the whistleblower.
Marine Martin savors this victory all the more “because Sanofi is obliged to pay”while the laboratory does not participate in the victims’ compensation fund managed by the National Office for Compensation of Medical Accidents (Oniam). “It’s absolutely outrageous.” However, the whistleblower remains vigilant and combative: “Of course they [Sanofi] will appeal. It’s a war of nerves. We’re getting into the hard stuff. The money I earned is blocked. They’re wearing down the victims. That’s why it’s important that other victims join me in the legal proceedings.”
Marine Martin has launched other proceedings, including criminal proceedings. Since February 2020, Sanofi has been prosecuted for “aggravated deception, unintentional injuries and involuntary manslaughter”“We hope to close the case. But justice is slow, I’m not sure we can have a trial before 2026.” Marine Martin promises “to be on the stand to seek convictions for people who deceived and killed children.”
Among the victims of this drug, 2,150 to 4,100 suffer from malformations, and 16,600 to 30,400 from neurodevelopmental disorders, according to health authorities. Figures that are underestimated for Marine Martin. She also recalls that she has had recognized, “for a year” that Depakine was “toxic in humans” and expects the first complaints “in the coming months”. “The scandal is not over”warns Marine Martin.