FDA reviews depression drugs–Intense or Cautious? WashPost/ NYT/ Herald

FDA reviews depression drugs–Intense or Cautious? WashPost/ NYT/ Herald Wed, 29 Oct 2003 The Washington Post correctly reports: “The association between antidepressants, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and suicide has been controversial since the first SSRI, Prozac, came on the market in the late 1980s.” But stakeholders in…

FDA Foot Dragging – Three Months After Expert Panel Urged "Black Box" Warnings for Antidepressants, No Action

FDA Foot Dragging – Three Months After Expert Panel Urged “Black Box” Warnings for Antidepressants, No Action Thu, 23 Dec 2004 Why is the FDA failing to enforce the "Black Box" warnings on SSRI antidepressant drug labels? When questioned by the NJ Star Ledger, Robert Temple, director of the FDA’s…

FDA Commissioner Nominee told Senate He’s Open to Independent Safety Unit / Avonex Warning

FDA Commissioner Nominee told Senate He’s Open to Independent Safety Unit / Biogen issues Avonex Warning Fri, 18 Mar 2005 It would be impossible to gain insight into Lester Crawford’s confirmation hearings by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee if one read only one news report. The Los…

FDA Approves Lilly’s Cymbalta for Depression Despite Risk of Suicide

FDA Approves Lilly’s Cymbalta for Depression Despite Risk of Suicide Wed, 4 Aug 2004 In a display of arrogance and defiance–in the midst of federal investigations into the marketing of antidepressants–the FDA has approved Eli Lilly’s antidepression drug, Cymbalta (duloxetine). Lilly’s press release announced: “Cymbalta, a balanced and potent reuptake…

House Votes to Prevent Pharma-tied Scientists on FDA Advisory Panels

House Votes to Prevent Pharma-tied Scientists on FDA Advisory Panels Thu, 9 Jun 2005 The House passed an amendment introduced by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY) to rein in pharmaceutical industry influence on FDA advisory panels whose recdommendations have resulted in the approval of lethal drugs. Below Merrill Goozner write: “The…

Ethical and Scientific Objections to FDA’s Proposed Licensure of Anthrax Vaccine

Ethical and Scientific Objections to FDA’s Proposed Licensure of Anthrax Vaccine Fri, 01 Apr 2005 Government agencies are maneuvering to weaken legal protections prohibiting the exposure of human beings to experimental drugs, vaccines and procedures without their voluntary informed consent. Even after a federal court has ordered the Pentagon to…