A drug researcher claims in court documents that the B.C. Liberal government tried to silence him because his findings on harmful side effects would shrink lucrative political contributions from drug companies.
William Warburton, a labour and health economist, in a notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday, alleges that the B.C. Liberal Party, as a recipient of “significant contributions from drug companies,” was trying to curtail research by revoking his access to Health Ministry data.
He is suing the province and Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid for defamation, breach of contract and interference with contract. The health ministry and minister declined to comment on matters before the court.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
It’s the first time anyone connected with a Health Ministry investigation that began in May 2012 — related to allegations of conflict of interest and inappropriate conduct, data management and contracting out — has alleged in court documents the money of big pharmaceutical companies plays a role.
“The province’s acts against Dr. Warburton are part of a bad-faith program by the defendants to end the investigation of harmful effects of drugs which risk leading to diminishing payments to their political contributors, and constitute misfeasance in public office as the defendants were aware that their deliberate acts against Dr. Warburton were illegal and would likely harm him,” court documents say.
Seven people were fired last year in relation to the ongoing Health Ministry investigation. The sharing of drug data and contracts with the University of B.C. and University of Victoria were suspended. The government also suspended the use of de-identified Health Ministry data by the UBC-based Therapeutics Initiative, a research group that provides independent assessments on the efficacy of pharmaceuticals in B.C.
All seven fired Health Ministry employees claimed wrongful dismissal.
Warburton claims in court documents that the province was trying to attract major drug companies to B.C. — companies that were giving large contributions to the Liberal Party. As a result, the claim alleges the province was eliminating drug-safety programs — like those carried out by Warburton and the Therapeutics Initiative — that could restrict drug sales in the billions of dollars.
Warburton, 59, was hired and paid $1 a year by the Health Ministry to conduct complex data analyses in August 2010. His ministry data access allowed him to have a series of contracts with the Provincial Health Services Agency in Vancouver, which provided the bulk of his income. He expected that association with the Health Ministry to continue past his last agreement ending March 2013.
Warburton’s research included the impact of atypical anti-psychotic medications as well as the possible harmful side effects of other drugs purchased by the province, the claim says.
“At all material times, the defendants were aware that Dr. Warburton was investigating very profitable drugs, he had found evidence of strong harmful side effects, and that the drugs were not primarily prescribed for approved uses,” say court documents.
In June, the province revoked Warburton’s access to Health Ministry data. It also revoked Health Ministry data for UVic’s Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative. Warburton had been hired by UVic for about $100,000 a year.
