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A woman whose stepfather died after taking an
anti-smoking drug today called for it to be banned.
Michelle Smith wants Zyban taken off pharmacy
shelves until a review into its possible dangers is complete.
Ms Smith's stepfather, Alan Ridley, 46, was found
dead at his Monkwearmouth home in August 2000.
Coroner Martin Shaw recorded an open verdict at
an inquest into Mr Ridley's death and refused to rule out a
connection to the anti smoking drug.
Now the European Medicines Evaluation Agency has
launched a review into the medicine.
The review comes as figures released by the
Medical Control Agency show that by January this year, 57 people had
died after using Zyban. Experts believe some victims may have
suffered an adverse reaction to the drug.
Around 500,000 people are known to regularly take
Zyban.
A spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline, which makes
Zyban said: "We remain extremely confident in the safety of
Zyban."
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Justice for
Rebecca
The Journal's Direct
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Family of the Year
2003
PA of the Year
2003
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