French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi is under investigation for manslaughter amid a scandal over its epilepsy drug Depakine.
The company is accused of being late to reveal the risk that the drug represents for pregnant women.
Health officials say that when expectant mothers took the drug, they increased the chances of their children having birth defects, autism and learning difficulties.
Sanofi insists it has fulfilled its obligation to inform about the side effects of Depakine
The drug, primarily made up of sodium valproate, is used to treat seizures, but has also been widely used as a mood stabilizer to help people with bipolar disorder.
The French Medicines Agency (ANSM) estimates that depakine could cause birth defects in 2,150 to 4,100 children and slow down neurological development from 16,600 to 30,400 since 1967.
Today’s development follows an investigation initiated by the organization (APESAC), which represents the alleged victims of the scandal.
Marine Martin, president and founder of APESAC, described it as “a great victory for the families of the victims of Depakine”.
Sanofi has already been indicted for aggravated fraud and unintentional harm due to drug use.
According to the daily Le Monde, the aim of the investigation is now to determine whether the pharmaceutical company can be held responsible for the death of four babies (in 1990, 1996, 2011 and 2014), whose mothers took Depakine during their pregnancy. .
Last month, a French court found the state, Sanofi and the doctors who had prescribed the drug responsible for the case. He ordered the state to pay thousands of euros in compensation to families, saying authorities failed to take the necessary steps to ensure the drug was not taken by pregnant women.
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