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GPs 'forced'
to overprescribe antidepressants
April
4, 2004
GPs
know they are overprescribing antidepressant drugs such as Prozac
and Seroxat, but believe the lack of other forms of help for those
suffering from mild depression and stress leaves them no choice,
a survey revealed last week.
The
survey shows that 80% of GPs believe they are writing too many prescriptions
for the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
The
Guardian newspaper described the findings as alarming in the wake
of a decision a fortnight ago by US drug regulators to demand a
warning that some people might become suicidal on them, and the
decision last year by the British regulators to ban most of them
from use in children for the same reason.
SSRI
prescriptions are mostly handed out by GPs, rather than hospital
psychiatrists, often in response to crises like marriage breakdowns,
job loss and bereavement. Last year 500,000 prescriptions were written
for Seroxat alone.
According
to the survey, commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare and carried
out by the medical research company Dr Foster, three-quarters of
the 250 GPs who responded said they were prescribing more antidepressants
than five years ago.
They
hand out the pills, they say, because the appropriate psychological
therapies or social care for those with mild to moderate depression
are not available.
Full
Guardian article
See also:
March
28: SSRI antidepressants must carry warnings that people might become
suicidal while taking them - US drug regulator states
March
21: Chief exec of Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
criticises charity director for provoking "alarm" and
"confusion" over antidepressant safety - Richard Brook
faces rebuffal after accusing Committee of Safety on Medicines group
of negligence over its investigations into SSRI antidepressants.
March
15: MIND's chief executive resigns from expert group reviewing safety
of antidepressants - Richard Brook accuses regulatory agency
of
negligence
Feb
8, 2004: GlaxoSmithKline 'held back' data on SSRI anti-depressants
for children - latest developments in the SSRI controversy.
Plus, advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration warn that
SSRIs may increase suicidal thinking among children
June
14, 2003: Seroxat banned for under-18s - the latest from the
Guardian
May
10, 2003: GPs accused of not reporting Seroxat suicides - reports
the Guardian
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