The river trial of the Mediator drug, suspected of causing more than 500 deaths, between 1976 and 2009, ended on Monday. Started on September 23, and discontinued for two months due to Covid-19, it has helped to understand why this dangerous drug could have remained on the market for so long. But the 4,500 civil parties who have filed complaints will have to wait until March 29, 2021 to hear the deliberations. Most often suffering from serious heart problems related to taking this appetite suppressant appetite suppressants, they have been waiting for this long criminal trial for a long time.
In its requisitions, the prosecution was harsh with the Servier laboratory, asking for five years in prison, including two suspended, against the main leader of the group, at the time Jean-Philippe Seta, and more than 10 million euros d fines against six group companies, tried in particular for “aggravated deception”, “swindle” and “homicides and involuntary injuries”. A whole system of medical experts suspected of corruption was brought to light during the hearings.
PODCAST. Mediator: "I want Servier to close"
This Monday, the Servier laboratory exposed its defense. One of his lawyers, François de Castro, said that these were "unfair accusations against the reality of the case". According to this lawyer, "the requisitions are extremely severe because they do not take into account the exchange of information between the Servier laboratories and the health authorities". They could in fact have withdrawn the drug from the market earlier, which they did not do.
Developing his point of view, François de Castro added: "I don't want the court to be able to close the proceedings by thinking that the Servier laboratories are in denial. They do not think they are beyond reproach in this case. ” But, adds the defender, “the first criticism they make is of being wait-and-see. They are aware that they were wrong on the risk assessment, relying on the health authority ”.