A Lawsuit Settled in the UK Regarding Benzodiazepines

This came up in one of my automated searches.  It is from a law firm's website in the UK.  Not sure what to make of it as of yet.

 

Christopher

 

 

Long term health consequences of over prescribed drugs Dated: 16/11/2011  Key Contact: Neil Fearn   

 

A group of GPs have settled a potential medical negligence claim after a woman was prescribed anxiety drugs for longer than what is considered safe.

 

Mrs Marshall filed a claim against her former GPs after she had been prescribed benzodiazepine medication (for example Oxazepam, Diazepam) for an extended period of time – ultimately leaving her unwell.

 

Benzodiazepines have been commonly prescribed in the UK since the 1960s for symptoms such as anxiety, stress and panic.

 

Susan Hotchin, solicitor at Simpson Millar LLP who specialises in medical negligence claims represented Mrs Marshall. She said: "Mrs Marshall had been prescribed a series of drugs for longer than should have been the case and became unwell as a result."

 

"For more than 30 years these drugs have been widely known to have addictive properties and experts have advised that alternatives should be considered."

 

"We are currently investigating a number of similar cases which highlights the potential risks to patients who are prescribed certain drugs for a long period of time."

 

Mrs Marshall’s claim was settled without any admissions of liability.

 

Note: It has not been made clear on what basis payment was made and whether it was apportioned between the various GP’s.

 

 

 

 

Now looks interesting. Can you source this with the link or tell me how to find it on google?

 

Thanks for this post.

This does look promising.  Thanks XII!

 

Here's the article http://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/news/news.aspx?newsid=1359

 

WWWI

Wow!  Thanks Christopher. This may open the floodgates in the UK.  Will try to find out more on this case.  I bet the prescribed drug was not Clonazapam as that is rarely prescribed in UK, usually only for epilepsy according to my GP.

 

Funny it hasn't exactly been headlines in the British papers either but will look out for it.

 

Thanks again.

 

Angel

Thanks WWWI! Maybe it will indeed open the floodgates!

On second look it appears this may be more of a press release by solicitors/lawyers than an actual news article.  So perhaps a trickle and not so much flood gates.  Aw well.  Guess beggers can't be choosers

I'll take trickles!! Just get them thinking - to begin with, anyway.

Follow Up Article and Actual Story: http://www.appgita.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Wakefield-Express-18-11-2011.pdf

 

 

From Benzo.org.uk

 

Christopher

Thanks so much for this Christopher.

 

I sure don't like the way they write this, it never quite hit "where we truly live in this" but it's a start. As well, I'm glad she got compensated. Let's hope it's the beginning of change for all of us.

I'll take that as a win for the underdogs! Thank you XII