In 1995, several doctors there published a thesis on the adverse reactions of Sumatriptan (Imitrex).

Since their document, which can be viewed on this site, was published well before Annette Farrand died, I corresponded by email with the doctors listed within the thesis.  In one of my emails, I asked if they had ever given Glaxo a copy of their research, and, if so, the date that Glaxo received it.

I was shocked by their reply!

Below are copies of the email I sent to the Acedemic Hospital of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and their reply.
(If you would like to view copies with full headers for technical validity verification, please click here:  Email from Europe: Full Headers)

Subject: Pharmaco-epidemiology of Sumatriptan Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 01:34:38 -0500 From: dmfarran@concentric.net To: stricker@epib.fgg.eur.nl Dear Dr. Stricker, I spoke to you via EMail on 1997-08-12 (August 12, 1997) regarding your Thesis on the Pharmaco-epidemiology of Sumatriptan, #1996:033, that you published with Dr. Grobbee, at the Academic Hospital Rotterdam - Dijkzigt, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 1996/03/13. The copy that you sent me was of great use to me.  Thank you very much for sending me it. I have several questions to ask you. Did you ever send a copy of your Thesis, or a copy of your research, or any other information relating to your research to Glaxo, the maker of Sumatriptan? If you did not send this information, do you know if Glaxo ever received this information from anyone or in any way? If Glaxo did receive this information, do you know the date when they became aware of your research? This information is very important to some current research being done into Sumatriptan and the danger of adverse reactions to Sumatriptan here in the United States. Thank you very much for your help with this. Very sincerely yours, David M. Farrand

Subject: Re: Pharmaco-epidemiology of Sumatriptan Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 18:57:59 MET-1MST From: "Bruno Stricker" <stricker@epib.fgg.eur.nl> Organization: Erasmus University Rotterdam To: dmfarran@concentric.net Dear dr Farrand, Thank you very much for your mail. Actually, the thesis was not mine. I had my PhD on drug-induced hepatic injury in 1987. Dr Ottervanger made the thesis on sumatriptan and defended the thesis early 1995. Glaxo received a copy so since that time they should have been aware of all details. Of course, they were not too happy about this. Actually, we had some arguments with them and they tried to pursuade the Lancet not to publish the case-report of the patient with myocardial infarction. Luckily, the Lancet published the case in 1993. Anyhow, let me know if I can be of any further help. Sincerely yours, Bruno Stricker