Sanofi Charged With Manslaughter For Causing Birth Defects

File Photo: Sanofi Office Building in Paris. Image Credit: Tangopaso. Licensed Under CC BY 2.0.

Pharma giant Sanofi that is in news ever since the pandemic began for developing a potential COVID-19 vaccine, said on Monday that it has been indicted by French prosecutors over its epilepsy drug alleging that it caused birth defects in thousands of children.

The charges are related to the drug valproate that is in the market since 1967 and is prescribed for epilepsy, migraines, and bipolar disorder. The charges said that several studies suggest that the drug caused disabilities in close to 15,000-30,000 children whose mothers consumed the medicine during pregnancy.

Sanofi said that the company "fulfilled its obligation" with respect to providing information on the drug and its side-effects, adding that it "contests the validity of these proceedings", in a statement given to AFP.