Glaxo’s Garnier Walks Out On The BBC
14 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // May 19th, 2008 // 11:17 am
The retiring Glaxo ceo agreed to speak with BBC Radio this morning after the European Commission licensed the drugmaker’s Prepandrix avian flu vaccine. The first few minutes were spent chatting about the vaccine, which JP says is about “preparing people for the worst.” But then the discussion turned toward the controversy over Paxil side effects and the release of clinical trial data.
You may recall that, two months ago, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Agency decided not to pursue criminal charges, although the agency did chastise Glaxo for failing to release more quickly clinical trial data about suicidal risk in youngsters. This was the result of a four-year investigation that examined more than 1 million documents about Paxil, or Seroxat, as it’s called in the UK.
At the time, the MHRA requested Glaxo publicly release all the documents, and the BBC interviewer persists in asking JP whether the release would take place and whether Glaxo would ensure that such episodes never occur again. JP replies that Glaxo has been transparent and spent a great deal of time sorting through the documents. An argument ensues and JP cuts the conversation short.
But does he ever answer the question? Listen to the BBC to find out… The 10-minute interview starts at 1 hour and 32 minutes into the broadcast, but you can get there quickly by hitting the fast forward button.
truthman30
Interesting..
anonymous
My name is Jean-Pierre not Jean-Paul. I am retiring yet some people still do not know my name, Jean-Pierre Garnier.
JP was selected by President Chirac of France to receive the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. Founded in 1802 by France’s Emperor Napoleon I, the Légion honours individuals for their civilian or military accomplishments. He was promoted to Officier de la Légion d’Honneur in January 2007.
These british; never did like us french.
Insider
He shows his true colours!
Jack2
I can’t watch these sort of things from work. Whatever extenuating circumstances may apply about drug safety aside - it still seems like someone who became a CEO (and most of that job is public relations) should have been able to stay cool under fire.
Matthew Holford
Bless.
Monty Burns: …but as far as the desire to be transparent, I think our record speaks for itself.”
Senate Finance Committee: Do you know anything about the intimidation of Dr John Buse by Takeshi Yamada, an officer of your company?
Monty Burns: No.
SFC: Erm, you’ve been copied on a bunch of ‘mails, here, entitled “Avandia Renegade”? Does that ring any bells, at all?
Monty Burns: I think that our record speaks for itself.
SFC: Quite: less than stellar.
I should point out that this is a completely fictitious dramatization. Actually, it’s not: I’m just not privy to the discussions that the SFC and Monty had.
Matt
Matthew Holford
Erratum:
For “Takeshi Yamada,” read “Dr Tacky Yamada, Head of Research” or something of that nature, anyway. Incidentally, according to the SFC, David Stout, another senior exec was also aware of what was being done. Quality leadership. Proper gents they are, guv’nor.
Matt
Matthew Holford
Fuck it: I might as well post the link, hadn’t I?
http://www.senate.gov/~finance/press/Gpress/2007/prg111507b.pdf
Matt
BOB FIDDAMAN
Edited ‘Seroxat’ version now online:
http://fiddaman.blogspot.com/2008/05/garniers-finest-hour-audio.html
My thoughts:
http://fiddaman.blogspot.com/2008/05/garnier-walks-out-of-bbc-when-pressed.html
BOB FIDDAMAN
Edited ‘Seroxat’ version now online:
http://fiddaman.blogspot.com/2008/05/garniers-finest-hour-audio.html
Fid
BOB FIDDAMAN
Edited ‘Seroxat’ version now online:
fiddaman.blogspot.com/2008/05/garniers-finest-hour-audio.html
Fid
BOB FIDDAMAN
My thoughts:
What’s it like to be put under undue pressure?
Ask JP Garnier - CEO of GlaxoSmithKline.
On the Today show on BBC’s Radio 4 Garnier was pressed to answer questions about Seroxat… what did he do?
Titty tantrum time - He couldn’t stand the heat… so walked out!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
On speaking of the MHRA investigation into his company he said:
“They [MHRA] have concluded, by the way, that the company [GSK] didn’t do anything wrong”
No?
Excuse me Monsieur Garnier but didn’t the MHRA find that your company failed to show that Seroxat was effective in treating major depressive disorder in children?
Didn’t they also find that Paxil [Seroxat] Trial 377, was conducted and this also failed to show that Seroxat was effective?
Didn’t they find that your company made no amendment to the SPC on the basis of these data?
And what of the internal documents Monsieur Garnier?
Didn’t it state… “it would be commercially unacceptable to include a statement that efficacy had not been demonstrated, as this would undermine the profile of paroxetine”?
Yet you go on national radio and say:
“They [MHRA] have concluded, by the way, that the company [GSK] didn’t do anything wrong”
You’re an absolute legend Monsieur Garnier. Even when your company has been proved to have held back data because it would undermine the profile of the product, you still claim that your company has done nothing wrong!
I have to admit I roared with laughter when I heard Garnier claim his company had been vindicated by the MHRA.
I practically pissed myself laughing when he walked out of the studio when the questioning about Seroxat got too tough for him. At least Glaxo spokesperson, Alistair Benbow, keeps his cool with deluded answers he may or may not have gave in the past!
The point where Garnier threw his dummy out of the pram is better than an episode of Monty Python.
Reporter: On the trials that were done in the 1990’s, it’s clear that it was on 2003 that the MHRA were shown an analysis of the trials. Have they now seen and can everyone now see that which was withheld in those years and can you say (and I know you are moving on, there is going to be a new head of the company) that in future such information will be available to the those who have to take really quite important decisions about what should be available to the public and what shouldn’t?
Garnier: Well, I can’t answer such a vague question. I mean this case has been discussed and studied at lengths by the authorities. They are satisfied with their enquiry, their enquiry had a positive conclusion for the company [GSK] …ERR I think you know you cannot talk about things that complicated in two minutes on an interview but as far as the desire to be transparent, I think our record speaks for itself.
Reporter: So, can you say John Paul Garnier…
Garnier: It’s not Jean Paul… it Jean Pierre
Reporter: Sorry. Jean Pierre…
Garnier: Can we move on, I… I have to..
Reporter: This is the last question…
Garnier: I have to tell you that if we are going to talk about [muted laugh] this subject [Seroxat] for ever and ever….
Reporter: No, it’s one last question. John Pierre Garnier, let me ask you simply this. When you leave the company do you believe that you are going to leave the company behind you which will…. er let’s put it like this, be honest, so that that information which is released, which is asked for that bears….
Garnier: Okay, I’m not interested in answering this question ,we have dealt with this subject. Thank you very much for taking the time to hear about pandemic and I wish you the best. Goodbye.
Reporter: And you. Goodbye.
It’s pure comedy genius isn’t it?
Here we have the CEO of a pharmaceutical company who firstly denies that his company did anything wrong, then secondly claims that his company’s record in their desire to be transparent (and I quote) “speaks for itself”
I guess it probably does because you certainly don’t Jean Paul (Ahem) sorry Pierre.
Fid
Matthew Holford
Oh, well, a parting shot from me: it’s good to have an understanding of what passes for “honneur” in the upper echelon of french society, these days. Bullshitting official committees and journalists, alike, by the look of things. Monty Burns: what a piece of shit you are.
Matt
truthman30
Any comment I could leave about this would pale in comparison to the experience of actually taking the time to listen to this astounding interview..
All i will say is..
Thank You BBC ..
truthman30
The Audio of this interview can be found here on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uVhy9JItZI
Very interesting recording.