Freedom of Information request on to a syndrome known as “Post Finasteride Syndrome” caused by the drug Finasteride (FOI 22/331)
Published 1 June 2022
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FOI 22/331
14th March
Dear
Thank you of your email dated 12th February 2022, where you requested:
“I’m writing to request copies of all internal emails in regards to a syndrome known as “Post Finasteride Syndrome” caused by the drug Finasteride on behalf of the freedom of information act (FOIA) from the dates of January 2000 to August 2021
I’m also writing to request copies of all internal emails containing BOTH key terms “Merck” and “Finasteride” on behalf of the freedom of information act (FOIA) from the dates of January 1998 to December 2000.”
We are pleased to inform you that most of the information which you have requested has already been released as part of a previous FOI request (21/630) and can be accessed using the link below:
In addition to this we have performed another search of our records for your requested time period and a further three emails are attached. Redactions have been made under Section 40 of the FOI Act, the names of employees below the grade of Senior Civil Servant (SCS) have been withheld. This is because they are normally not responsible for high profile work and would not reasonably expect their personal details to be in the public domain. As a result, the releasing of their names would not, in our view, be fair or reasonable. We have also made redactions under Section 41 – information provided in confidence, in this case by patients or families of patients. Information provided to us in confidence, with the expectation that it will not be released, is exempt from disclosure under the FOI Act.
I hope the information provided is helpful, but if you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of this response; and can be addressed to this email address.
Yours sincerely,
FOI Team,
Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines Division
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If you have a query about this email, please contact us. If you are unhappy with our decision, you may ask for it to be reviewed. That review will be undertaken by a senior member of the Agency who has not previously been involved in your request. If you wish to pursue that option please write to the Communications Directorate, 4-T, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, (via this email address). After that, if you remain dissatisfied, you may ask the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office
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