Government drugs advisor QUITS after sustained campaign of abuse

A government drugs adviser has been forced out of his position after a sustained campaign of abuse saw him branded ‘worse than Hitler’ and a ‘pharma-whore’, it emerged last night.

Professor David Baldwin was subjected to the vile taunts after he wrote an open letter to a newspaper playing down the side-effects of coming off anti-depressants.

At the time he wrote: ‘In the vast majority of patients, any unpleasant symptoms experienced on discontinuing anti-depressants have resolved within two weeks of stopping treatment.’

But his letter prompted a fierce backlash from campaigners and psychiatrists alike who disagreed with his statement, the Times reported.

Professor David Baldwin (pictured) has been forced out of his position after a sustained campaign of abuse saw him branded ‘worse than Hitler’ and a ‘pharma-whore’

One anonymous critic called him a ‘pharmaceutical rapist and a lying serial murderer worse than Hitler!’

Following the publication of Professor Baldwin’s letter, ministers ordered a Public Health England panel to discuss the subject on which Professor Baldwin represented the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The college then received a complaint from ten psychiatrists and psychologist, with the mental health professionals insisting that many patients suffered serious long-term health problems after coming off anti-depressants.

Others said he and his co-author Professor Wendy Burn were putting patients at risk.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have continued to defend Professor Baldwin, claiming his analysis of the after-effects of coming off anti-depressants were in line with NICE guidance.

Hewas subjected to the vile taunts after he wrote an open letter to a newspaper playing down the side-effects of coming off anti-depressants. Stock photo

Hewas subjected to the vile taunts after he wrote an open letter to a newspaper playing down the side-effects of coming off anti-depressants. Stock photo

Last night Professor Burn, Professor Baldwin’s co-author, said that his resignation was a ‘significant loss’ and feared it would weaken the panel review.

Professor Burns said: ‘He made it clear to me that he felt harassed into resigning over what he viewed as a campaign against him, both in terms of complaints and on social media. He felt that responding to this campaign had become a distraction from his work on the review and was having an impact on his main commitment to delivering patient care.

‘It is disappointing that any resignation should take place for these reasons and it is critical that the review and this ongoing debate more generally can be conducted in an informed, professional and respectful manner.’

But one of the mental health professionals who complained to the Royal College of Psychiatrists after the letter was published, psychologist, Professor John Read, dismissed suggestions that there was a campaign against Professor Baldwin.

Instead, he argued: ‘We are trying to raise an issue of scientific integrity.

‘We can’t control what the anger of people by denial of what these drugs can do.’

He added: ‘It’s a shame that when professionals and scientists raise legitimate concerns about another’s work they try to turn it into a personal issue.’

Rosanna O’Connor of Public Health England told the Times the institution ‘regrets any personal distress caused to Professor Baldwin’ and promised the review would be published next year. 

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