The pharmaceutical laboratory, whose drug is accused of having caused serious cardiovascular damage, also received an increased fine of almost 9 million euros.
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The sentence is heavier than at first instance. At the end of the appeal trial of the Mediator health scandal, Wednesday December 20, Servier laboratories were fined 8.75 million euros for “aggravated deception” and “homicide and involuntary injuries”.
The pharmaceutical group which produced this antidiabetic used as an appetite suppressant, accused of having caused serious cardiovascular damage, was also found guilty of fraud, an offense for which it was acquitted at first instance. As such, it will have to reimburse more than 415 million euros to health insurance funds and mutual societies.
The Servier group has announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Cassation, according to the franceinfo journalist present at the hearing. The trial took place from January to June.
The right arm of the founder condemned
The only natural person accused in this appeal trial was the former right-hand man of the all-powerful founder of the group Jacques Servier, the latter having died in 2014. Jean-Philippe Seta was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment, including one year firm, and fines totaling 89,000 euros.
At first instance, in September 2019, the Servier group was fined 2.7 million euros. The laboratory had to immediately pay all of the compensation owed to the 7,650 people who became civil parties.
