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Sanofi under investigation for manslaughter over epilepsy drug

French pharma giant Sanofi Aventis has been placed under investigation for suspected manslaughter in a judicial probe into the marketing of its epilepsy treatment drug Depakine, which a public watchdog has estimated caused up to 450 babies to be stillborn or contract congenital birth defects in France between 2006 and 2014.

La rédaction de Mediapart

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Healthcare company Sanofi Aventis France said it had been placed under formal investigation on charges of manslaughter over Depakine, which is an epilepsy drug that caused birth malfunctions and slow neurological development when taken during pregnancy, reports Reuters.

Sanofi Aventis France denied the charges and is challenging the merits of the investigation, it said in a written statement to Reuters.

“All these elements do not in any way prejudge the responsibility of the company,” Sanofi Aventis France said.

The company said it had respected all its obligations regarding information provided on Depakine.

Sanofi Aventis France denied the charges and is challenging the merits of the investigation, it said in a written statement to Reuters.

“All these elements do not in any way prejudge the responsibility of the company,” Sanofi Aventis France said.

The company said it had respected all its obligations regarding information provided on Depakine.

Read more of this report from Reuters.