Study found: older patients risk death on BOTH old and new Antipsychotics Thu, 01 Dec 2005 Elderly patients prescribed antipsychotics–old neuroleptics (such as Haldol) or the new antipsychotics (such as Zyprexa or Risperdal)–were at increased risk of death. The risk for the older drugs is estimated to be 17.9% Â and…
"Serotonin and depression: A disconnect between the advertisements and the scientific literature."
"Some 19 million people in the U.S. suffer from depression in any given year. For many, SSRIs help little, if at all. To do better, we have to get the science right." Sharon Begley, Wall Street Journal
Former FDA Commissioner or Wife Held Stock in FDA Regulated Area – NYT Thu, 27 Oct 2005 The mystery behind the resignation of Dr. Lester Crawford seems to be about failure to divest from financail holdings in companies regualted by the FDA. The New York Times cites Dr. Crawford’s statement…
Abbott Seeks FDA approval for cancer drug despite failed trials – WSJ Mon, 12 Sep 2005 Abbott Laboratories is asking the FDA to approve a cancer drug even though it failed in clinical trials to demonstrate a benefit greater than placebo–which is a minimal FDA requirement. The Wall Street Journal…
Applause to Editor of Amer J of Hypertension Who Said NO to financially compromised Society Fri, 29 Jul 2005 The Wall Street Journal reports: “In a dispute reflecting heightened concerns about the control and credibility of medical information, the American Society of Hypertension said it is severing its 16-year relationship…
AMERICA’S OVERMEDICATED CHILDREN By Vera Sharav YOUTH and MEDICINES in June 1-3, 2005 KILEN: Consumers Institute for Medicines and Health SWEDEN “Forgotten Children” is an investigative report by Carole Keeton Strayhorn,[1] the Texas Comptroller (2004) who uncovered evidence that 60% of children in the Texas foster care system are being…
“Lilly is Hiding Negative Information About Zyprexa” – SAPS Wed, 2 Nov 2005 From our colleague in Sweden: A published interview with Dr. Curt Furberg, Professor of Public Health Sciences Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and Chair, Steering Committee, and Principal Investigator, of one of the most important studies…
“Forgotten Children” is an investigative report by Carole Keeton Strayhorn,[1] the Texas Comptroller (2004) who uncovered evidence that 60% of children in the Texas foster care system are being drugged with powerful psychotropic drugs, most of which have not been tested in or approved for use by children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges that many of these drugs have serious adverse side effects, both physical and psychological. The Comptroller said she was alarmed that in her review of a single month (November 2003), two powerful antipsychotic drugs — Risperdal and Zyprexa — made up half of the drugs prescribed to foster children in Texas. These two drugs have been approved only for adults for the treatment of psychosis – primarily schizophrenia – yet, she found that children as young as four, were receiving these powerful, mind-altering drugs.
NIH Scientists Gripe At Ethics Rule: NO Stocks in Pharmaceutical Companies – LAT / WSJ Sat, 5 Mar 2005 A group of dissident NIH scientists represented by an 18 member executive committee, are gripping about new rules prohibiting them from accepting fees for outside activities. Conflict of interest rules apply…
FDA Protects Pfizer: Removes Advisory Panelist for Citing Evidence Bextra Similar to Vioxx – WSJ Fri, 12 Nov 2004 Even as the Vioxx casualties are still being counted, even as FDA’s conduct is under Congressional investigation, the FDA office of new drugs has taken action to obstruct evidence-based safety evaluation…
FDA’s Waiting Game Exposes Children to Preventable Risks Comments by Vera Hassner Sharav President The Alliance for Human Research Protection Submitted to FDA Advisory Committee Psychopharmacological Drugs Advisory Committee and Pediatric Subcommittee Drugs Advisory Committee September 13-14, 2004 Meeting RE: Suicidality Associated with Antidepressant Drug Treatment The Alliance for Human…
FDA Squelches an Article Raising Doubts on Safety Of Device to Repair Artery – WSJ Fri, 9 Jul 2004 A front page article in The Wall Street Journal exposes another case of safety data suppression by the FDA. The case involves a device to repair the heart artery which FDA’s…
