Sanofi Ordered to Compensate Whistleblower Marine Martin Following Prolonged Legal Showdown

2024-09-10 04:00:43
Marine Martin, head of the association for Help for Parents of Children Suffering from Anticonvulsant Syndrome (Apesac), in Paris, in January 2022. YIMING WOO / REUTERS

Marine Martin has been waiting for this decision for twelve years. Twelve years that the whistleblower has been leading the revolt against Sanofi to have the pharmaceutical group recognized as responsible for the Depakine scandal, this antiepileptic drug marketed since 1967 and responsible for congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders in thousands of children of mothers treated during pregnancy.

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In a judgment delivered on Monday, September 9, that The World consulted, the Paris judicial court ordered the French laboratory to pay him – and his two children – 284,867.24 euros in compensation. In its judgment, the court declared Sanofi “responsible for a failure to provide information on the malformation and neurodevelopmental risks of Depakine, which it marketed, for maintaining in circulation a product that it knew to be defective, and for a lack of vigilance at the time of Ms Marine Martin’s pregnancies, between 1998 and 2002”.

Salomé, the eldest, was born with facial malformations and suffered from cognitive, visual and dyspraxic disorders. Florent, the youngest, was born with facial, hand and penis malformations – which required two surgeries –, developed attention and language disorders and was diagnosed with Asperger’s autism. As a student, he still needs six hours of family help with everyday tasks.

“Thousands of children, major victims”

“This is a tremendous victory, because Sanofi, which invoked the ten-year limitation period, was dismissed. They were convicted on the basis of the fault regime and the defectiveness of Depakine, reacts Martine Martin, founder of the association for Help for Parents of Children Suffering from Anticonvulsant Syndrome (Apesac), which now has more than 8,000 membersThis opens the door to thousands of children, adult victims, who could not hope to enter justice. The Nanterre court had already ordered Sanofi to compensate victims in 2022, but for more recent cases.

Read the story (2022): Article reserved for our subscribers Depakine: Sanofi’s responsibility recognized by the courts

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According to estimates – contested by Sanofi – from the Health Insurance and the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines, sodium valproate, the active ingredient in Depakine, is responsible for malformations (heart, kidneys, limbs, fingers, face, etc.) in 2,150 to 4,100 children, and neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, language delay, etc.) in 16,600 to 30,400 children.

The court dismissed Sanofi’s requests for prescription, but also for a stay of proceedings. “Sanofi has embarked on an incomprehensible legal guerrilla war, comments Charles Joseph-Oudin, the lawyer of Marine Martin and Apesac. It is urgent that the company abandons its attitude of contemptuous denial towards the victims of its product.”

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Here⁤ are PAA ​(People Also Ask) related questions for the title **Sanofi​ Held Accountable for Congenital⁣ Malformations and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Depakine**:

Sanofi Held Accountable for Congenital Malformations and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Depakine

Marine Martin, the head of the ‌association ⁤for Help‌ for Parents of Children Suffering from Anticonvulsant Syndrome (Apesac),⁣ has finally achieved a‌ significant victory after 12 years of ‌fighting against Sanofi, the pharmaceutical group responsible for ⁢the Depakine scandal. On September 9, the Paris judicial court ordered Sanofi to‌ pay Martin and her two‌ children 284,867.24 euros in compensation for the congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders caused by ⁣Depakine, an antiepileptic drug marketed ⁤since 1967.

Depakine, ‍also​ known as sodium valproate, has been widely used to treat epilepsy worldwide since its⁣ introduction [[1]]. However, the drug has been⁢ linked to congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders in thousands​ of children born to mothers who took the⁤ medication during ⁤pregnancy.

The Paris judicial ‍court’s decision is a landmark ruling, holding Sanofi accountable for its failure to provide information on the risks of Depakine, maintaining a defective product in circulation, and lacking vigilance during Martin’s⁢ pregnancies⁢ between 1998 and 2002. This ruling opens the door⁤ for thousands⁢ of children and adult victims who could not previously ‍access justice.

Martin’s children, Salomé and Florent, were ⁢born with ​severe malformations and⁢ developmental disorders as a result of Depakine use during pregnancy. Salomé was born with facial malformations and suffers from cognitive, visual, and dyspraxic disorders, while Florent was born with facial, hand, and penis malformations, requiring two surgeries, and developed attention and language disorders, diagnosed ⁤with Asperger’s autism.

Estimates suggest that Depakine is responsible for malformations in 2,150 to 4,100 children and neurodevelopmental disorders in 16,600 to 30,400 children [[3]]. Sanofi has been ordered ⁤to compensate victims in similar cases, with the Nanterre court already ruling in⁤ favor of victims in 2022 [[3]].

Depakine is a medication that has significantly improved the treatment ‍of epilepsy worldwide [[1]]. However, ⁤the side effects of the drug, particularly when⁢ taken during pregnancy, ⁤have devastating consequences for the children of mothers who used the medication. Sanofi’s responsibility in this matter has been recognized ⁤by the courts, and the ‌pharmaceutical⁣ group must now take accountability for its actions.

the Paris judicial court’s⁤ ruling is ​a significant victory for⁣ Martin ‍and her children,⁤ as well as thousands of other victims affected by ‍Depakine. This ⁤decision sends a strong message‍ to pharmaceutical companies, emphasizing the ​importance of transparency⁣ and ⁤accountability in the development ‌and marketing of medications.

References:

[1]

[2]

[3]

Optimized keywords: ​Depakine, Sanofi, epilepsy, congenital malformations,⁢ neurodevelopmental disorders, ⁤Marine​ Martin, Apesac, pharmaceutical⁣ group,⁤ accountability, transparency.

### PAA Questions for the Title: *Sanofi Held Accountable for Congenital Malformations and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Depakine*

Sanofi Held Accountable for Congenital Malformations and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Depakine

In a landmark judgment delivered on September 9, the Paris judicial court has ordered Sanofi to pay compensation to Marine Martin, the head of the association for Help for Parents of Children Suffering from Anticonvulsant Syndrome (Apesac), and her two children, totaling 284,867.24 euros. The court declared Sanofi responsible for a failure to provide information on the malformation and neurodevelopmental risks of Depakine, for maintaining in circulation a product that it knew to be defective, and for a lack of vigilance at the time of Ms. Marine Martin’s pregnancies between 1998 and 2002.

Depakine, an antiepileptic drug marketed since 1967, has been linked to congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders in thousands of children born to mothers treated with the drug during pregnancy. According to estimates from the Health Insurance and the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines, sodium valproate, the active ingredient in Depakine, is responsible for malformations in 2,150 to 4,100 children, and neurodevelopmental disorders in thousands more.

Marine Martin’s children, Salomé and Florent, were both born with severe malformations and developmental disorders as a result of their mother’s use of Depakine during pregnancy. Salomé was born with facial malformations and suffered from cognitive, visual, and dyspraxic disorders, while Florent was born with facial, hand, and penis malformations, and developed attention and language disorders, as well as Asperger’s autism.

This judgment is a major victory for the thousands of children and adults who have been affected by Depakine. Marine Martin, founder of Apesac, which now has over 8,000 members, has been fighting for justice for over 12 years. “This is a tremendous victory, because Sanofi, which invoked the ten-year limitation period, was dismissed. They were convicted on the basis of the fault regime and the defectiveness of Depakine. This opens the door to thousands of children, adult victims, who could not hope to enter justice,” she reacted.

In response to the growing controversy surrounding Depakine, Sanofi has made efforts to provide information on the safety of the drug. According to the company’s website, Sanofi is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information on the benefits and risks of Depakine <a href="”>[1]. The company has also released statements on the safety of Depakine, acknowledging the risks associated with its use during pregnancy <a href="”>[2].

Despite these efforts, many families and advocacy groups continue to demand justice for those affected by Depakine. The judgment against Sanofi is a major step forward in holding the company accountable for its role in the Depakine scandal.

Thousands of Children, Major Victims

The Depakine scandal has had far-reaching consequences, affecting thousands of children and families around the world. According to estimates, sodium valproate, the active ingredient in Depakine, is responsible for malformations in 2,150 to 4,100 children, and neurodevelopmental disorders in thousands more. These disorders can have a lifelong impact on the affected children, ranging from cognitive and visual impairments to developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder.

The judgment against Sanofi is a major victory for these families, who have been fighting for justice and compensation for years. The court’s decision opens the

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