Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18462

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Publication type: Journal Article

Turone F
Italy's drug regulator is cleared of any wrongdoing
BMJ 2010 July 13; 341:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/341/jul13_3/c3747

Abstract:

Nello Martini, former head of the Italian drug regulatory agency, Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco, has been cleared of the charge of “causing unintentional disaster,” which in 2008 provoked his removal from his post. At the end of a hearing last week that took more than two years the Criminal Court in Rome stated that there was no legal basis to go to trial.

Senator Ignazio Marino, an MP for the opposition Democratic party and head of the parliamentary investigative committee on the healthcare system, told the BMJ that he will launch an investigation into Dr Martini’s sacking.

“It is worrying that Dr Martini was fired on the basis of such weak allegations before he even had the possibility to defend himself, despite the fact that he had been doing an excellent job for many years, proving to be a loyal, competent, and rigorous professional. I think he should be given . . .