Drug firm GlaxoSmithKline should have been quicker to raise the alarm about the risk of suicide associated with Seroxat in under 18s, regulators say.
Ministers have promised to tighten laws requiring drug firms to disclose data from clinical trials.
The drug regulator banned the antidepressant in under 18s in June 2003 but an investigation found GSK should have passed on data earlier.
It comes after the drugs regulator announced GlaxoSmithKline will not face criminal proceedings over claims it withheld information on Seroxat
Criminal charges cannot be brought because the laws on disclosure were not strong enough at the time.
But they warned GSK should have been quicker to raise the alarm on the risk of suicidal behaviour associated with the antidepressant in the under 18s.
GSK has rejected claims it improperly withheld drug trial information.
GSK has rejected claims it improperly withheld drug trial information.
We will take immediate steps to ensure the law is strengthened further, so that there can be no doubt as to companies' obligations to report safety issues Professor Kent Woods, MHRA
We will take immediate steps to ensure the law is strengthened further, so that there can be no doubt as to companies' obligations to report safety issues Professor Kent Woods, MHRA
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received data from clinical trials in May 2003 showing that patients under 18 had a higher risk of suicidal behaviour if they were treated with Seroxat than if they received a placebo.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received data from clinical trials in May 2003 showing that patients under 18 had a higher risk of suicidal behaviour if they were treated with Seroxat than if they received a placebo.
Data also showed that Seroxat was not effective for treating depression in children and adolescents.
Data also showed that Seroxat was not effective for treating depression in children and adolescents.
The drug was subsequently banned for use in under 18s.
The drug was subsequently banned for use in under 18s.
Professor Kent Woods, MHRA chief executive said they were disappointed GSK had not given them information earlier and that drugs firms had an "ethical responsibility".
'Responsibility'
'Responsibilities'
But Professor Kent Woods, MHRA chief executive said they were disappointed GSK had not given them information earlier and that drugs firms had an "ethical responsibility".
A BBC Panorama investigation last year reported that secret e-mails showed the drug company distorted trial results, covering up a link with suicide in teenagers.
"I remain concerned that GSK could and should have reported this information earlier than they did.
The MHRA said there was no realistic prospect of a conviction as legislation in place at the time was not sufficiently strong or comprehensive to require companies to inform the regulator of safety information when the drug was being used for, or tested outside its licensed indications.
Seroxat was never licensed in the under 18s.
The four-year investigation looking at over one million pages of evidence was the largest of its kind in the UK.
Professor Kent Woods, MHRA chief executive, said: "I remain concerned that GSK could and should have reported this information earlier than they did.
"All companies have a responsibility to patients, and should report any adverse data signals to us as soon as they discover them.
"All companies have a responsibility to patients, and should report any adverse data signals to us as soon as they discover them.
"This investigation has revealed important weaknesses in the drug safety legislation in force at the time.
"This investigation has revealed important weaknesses in the drug safety legislation in force at the time."
"Subsequent legislation has partially addressed the problem, but we will take immediate steps to ensure the law is strengthened further, so that there can be no doubt as to companies' obligations to report safety issues."
He said subsequent legislation has partially addressed the problem but more still needed to be done.
The MHRA spent four years looking at over one million pages of evidence to determine whether GSK had withheld information.
They concluded there was no realistic prospect of a conviction as legislation in place at the time was not sufficient to require companies to inform the regulator of safety information when the drug was being used for, or tested outside its licensed indications.
In common with many drugs, Seroxat was never licensed in the under 18s, but doctors could still prescribe it.
A BBC Panorama investigation last year reported that secret e-mails showed the drug company distorted trial results, covering up a link with suicide in teenagers.
Health minister Dawn Primarolo said the government would take immediate steps to secure a strengthening of the law in the UK and Europe.
She also said they wanted to make it clear to all pharmaceutical companies that, "notwithstanding the limitations that may exist in the law, they should disclose any information they have that would have a bearing on the protection of health".
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