Levothyrox : the headquarters of Merck searched

CHAMUSSY/SIPA

Published the 04.10.2017 at 10h52

A A

Keywords :

Lévothyroxeffets indésirablesmédicament

The case of the Levothyrox is now in the hands of justice. On Tuesday, a search was conducted for several hours in the French headquarters of Merck, located in Lyon. Boxes of medications and documents have been seized in the framework of the investigation on the new formula of this treatment for the thyroid disorders.

The investigation was entrusted to the pole of public health of the TGI of Marseille, which has led to the search carried out by the gendarmes of the central Office for combating damage to the environment and public health (Oclaesp).

163 complaints

The new formula of the Levothyrox, manufactured by Merck, is the subject of complaints of heavy side effects. The public prosecutor of Marseille said on Tuesday they have received 163 complaints, in the framework of the preliminary investigation opened for ” aggravated tort of deceit, with involuntary bodily integrity and endangering the lives of others “.

According to Me David-Olivier Kaminski, a lawyer for several plaintiffs, “this search can help shed light on the exchanges between the laboratory and the health authorities,” he said to AFP, adding that ” it is the national security Agency of the drug that has given the instruction to Merck to change the formula “.

Side effects

The evidence on the adverse effects of the new formula (cramps, headache, dizziness, hair loss…) of Levothyrox, placing on the French market at the end of march, have multiplied in recent months, to the point of becoming a health challenge and a major threat to the government.

After complaints about the side effects of the new formula, the old version of the Levothyrox, treatment is used by three million French, was available again on Monday, but in very limited quantity.