title: [The controversy about Halcion in Great Britain: a sociological study].
abstract: This paper offers an analysis of the events surrounding the suspension of the licence for the widely used sleeping tablet Halcion (triazolam) by the British Licensing Authority in October 1991. It is argued that these events highlight a growing crisis in modern medical treatments and in the social relations of health care. This is illustrated by focusing on four elements which have contributed to Halcion becoming a public issue and to its suspension and subsequent banning, namely the claims-making activities of medical experts, the development of legal challenges to medicine, the role of the media and the response of the state.
authors.affiliation: Université de Londres, Grande-Bretagne.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gabe
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008402:Mass Media; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D014229:Triazolam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014229:Triazolam
vernacular_title: La controverse sur l'Halcion en Grande-Bretagne: une étude sociologique.