In 1986, British cardiologist Peter Wilmshurst tested amrinone, a cardiac drug manufactured by Sterling-Winthrop, and reported that his group found no improvement in contractility alongside frequent life-threatening side effects. According to Wilmshurst’s account, the company asked him to suppress the findings and threatened litigation when he refused. He disclosed the evidence to The Guardian and the UK Committee on Safety of Medicines.
Wilmshurst also reported that Sterling-Winthrop had not supplied UK regulators with the adverse-event information and had threatened the British government with closure of a large manufacturing plant. The company subsequently reported more than 1,400 adverse events to the US Food and Drug Administration, ended US research and marketing, and withdrew the oral version of amrinone in 1986. The episode contributed to Wilmshurst’s later recognition as a medical whistleblower, including the 2003 Health Watch Award.
