French agency head quits over delayed withdrawal of slimming pill
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Jean Marimbert, the head of the French drug and device regulatory agency (AFSSAPS), is resigning from his post in face of growing criticism from the general public that the agency took too long to withdraw Servier's slimming drug Mediator (Benfluorex Hydrochloride) from the market. AFSSAPS, a key player in the European pharmaceutical regulatory network, suspended the marketing of Mediator in 2009.