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France: The Dangerous Pill

February 7, 2011

A diet pill may have caused the deaths of more than 1,000 people. The manufacturer, Servier, will now be held accountable in court.

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Image: picture-alliance/maxppp
Frankreich Mediator Opfer der Diät-Pille "Mediator"
Image: DW

The diabetes medicine Mediator came onto the market in 1979. It was also prescribed to overweight people as an appetite suppressant. Studies have shown that its effective agent can severely damage heart valves. Some countries have never approved its release. But it wasn't until the end of 2010 that it was taken off the market throughout Europe. The Servier company, which continues to deny all accusations, is not the only object of the scandal. France's drug administration has also come under fire.