Tighter drug trial laws promised

And not a century too soon. Whew.

Still think your drugs for treating your overfatness have been well-vetted?

"Ministers have promised to tighten laws requiring drug firms to disclose data from clinical trials.

It comes after the drugs regulator announced GlaxoSmithKline will not face criminal proceedings over claims it withheld information on Seroxat

But they warned GSK should have been quicker to raise the alarm on the risk of suicidal behaviour associated with the antidepressant in the under 18s...

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received data from clinical trials in May 2003 showing that patients under 18 had a higher risk of suicidal behaviour if they were treated with Seroxat than if they received a placebo.

Data also showed that Seroxat was not effective for treating depression in children and adolescents.

The drug was subsequently banned for use in under 18s...

A BBC Panorama investigation last year reported that secret e-mails showed the drug company distorted trial results, covering up a link with suicide in teenagers.

The internal documents suggested GSK knew there was a problem with the effectiveness of Seroxat in children five years before the drug was banned."

(How about the fat vaccines coming soon to a clinic near you?)

Now might be a good time to give up the drugs and a few Calories per day so you don't become the subject of an article on the hazards of this malpractice in a pill.