Newspapers Examine Reaction to FDA Panel Recommendation for Black Box Warning on Antidepressants
Articles in two newspapers on Thursday examined the reaction of physicians to a decision on Tuesday by an FDA advisory committee to recommend that all antidepressants include a black box warning -- the strongest warning issued by the agency -- to inform consumers that the medications can cause suicidal thoughts and behavior in patients ages 18 and younger (California Healthline, 9/15). Summaries of the articles appear below.
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Long Island Newsday: According to Newsday, some physicians raised concerns that the recommendation "might discourage use of the drugs for children already at risk" for suicide, but others said that they hoped the recommendation would prompt physicians to take more caution when they prescribe antidepressants to children (Talan, Long Island Newsday, 9/16).
- New York Times: The Times interviewed psychiatrists, pediatricians and family practice physicians about the recommendation and examined their "struggle with how to treat depressed children and teenagers" (Harris, New York Times, 9/16).
NPR's "Day to Day" on Wednesday discussed the FDA advisory panel's recommendation with NPR's Joanne Silberner (Adams, "Day to Day," NPR, 9/15). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer. In addition, NPR's "Talk of the Nation" on Wednesday included an interview with David Fassler, an adolescent psychiatrist and trustee of the American Psychiatric Association who testified at the FDA hearing on Monday (Conan, "Talk of the Nation," NPR, 9/15). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer.
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