Seroquel Data on Diabetes Buried

Unsealed Emails from AstraZeneca Reveal Cover-Up

An internal email from AstraZeneca (AZ) about its controversial a-typical antidepressant Seroquel, marketed as Quietiapine, allegedly shows that the company knew the drug could cause diabetes. According to one of the lawyers on the case, AZ not only deliberately avoided warning physicians about the risk for diabetes connected with the anti-depressant, but also marketed the drug as virtually 'risk free.'

The email, released as part of a court case against the drug maker, and covered in the media last week, allegedly praised the Seroquel project doctor, Lisa Arventis, for minimizing data from a study which showed that the drug caused diabetes, stating "Lisa has done a great 'smoke and mirrors job!'

The message is just one of 102 documents unsealed during the trial. Reportedly, another of these emails, from the company's publications manager written in 1999, reads "The larger issue is how do we face the outside world when they begin to criticize us for suppressing data." Allegedly, he goes on to say that data from 3 drug trials had been "buried." And, in referencing a fourth trial, says, "We must find a way to diminish the negative findings. But, in my opinion, we cannot hide them."

Seroquel is FDA approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, but is also prescribed "off-label" for depression, insomnia, dementia, and ADHD.

March-02-09: Drug Maker's E-Mail Released in Seroquel Lawsuit [NY TIMES: DRUG MAKER'S EMAIL RELEASED IN SEROQUEL LAWSUIT ]

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Published on Mar-2-09