Merck has been indicted for “aggravated deception” in the case of the 2017 Levothyrox formula change.
This indictment relates solely to the information provided during the transition to the new formula: it’s a technical debate about communication.
“The judge ruled out the most serious offences – manslaughter and bodily injury, and endangering the lives of others – and only accepted failings in the communication plan,” insisted Merck’s criminal lawyer, Mario Stasi.
“Merck had co-constructed this communication plan with various partners, experts and in dialogue with patient associations, and under the authority of the French drug agency, which approved it. The quality of the drug is not in question. It’s a good drug, better than the old one”.
