My next documentary for BBC Radio 4 and my first for File on 4 is being broadcast on 26th January at 8pm.

The programme tells the story behind AstraZeneca’s bestselling antipsychotic drug Seroquel and its apparent side-effects, including severe weight gain, diabetes and other serious medical conditions.

Seroquel was launched in 1997 for treating schizophrenia and later for bipolar disorder.  John Blenkinsopp, who was the company’s UK medical adviser when the drug was launched, explained to me how he was pressurised by the company’s marketing arm to approve claims about the drug which he felt did not reflect the medical evidence.

As a result of these effects over 14,000 people in the US are now suing the UK-based pharmaceutical firm.

Through interviews with people associated with the multi-million pound pharmaceutical industry, l look into concerns about how drugs are marketed and ask how much the public should be told about the medications they take.

There is more information on the BBC website here