Aropax (paxil) Evidence of risk is clear dailytelegraph.news.com.au

[Guest guest]

Aropax (paxil) Evidence of risk is clear dailytelegraph.news.com.au

By ANNA PATTY Health Reporter

June 17, 2004

THE Federal Government yesterday said there was " credible "

scientific evidence that a drug available on the Pharmaceutical

Benefits Scheme (PBS) could drive children to suicide.

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said he was concerned about a

series of scientific studies on the adverse effects of anti-

depressant drug Aropax.

The studies published by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoKline show

children under 18 taking the drug were at increased risk of feeling

suicidal, hostile and depressed, as reported exclusively in

yesterday's The Daily Telegraph.

" There are credible reports these antidepressant drugs can cause

significant side effects in children, " Mr Abbott said.

" I have asked the PBS committee whether these drugs should stay on

the PBS. "

Aropax has been banned in Britain, and America has advised against

its use.

Yet Australian doctors gave out more than 23,000 prescriptions for

Aropax to children last year and are divided on its risks.

AMA federal councillor and child psychiatrist Dr Choong-Siew Yong

yesterday said the adverse effects associated with Aropax were rare

and there had been an " over-reaction in other countries " .

" In Australia we have taken a more measured approach to educate

doctors, " he said.

" There are a lot of children who have got better from Aropax. I

think it would be a mistake to ban it outright. "

A Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) spokeswoman yesterday said

an inquiry by the US Food and Drug Administration would help

determine whether the drug was banned in here.

The TGA cannot stop doctors from prescribing the drug to children,

even though it is only registered for use by adults.

" The TGA has never registered Aropax for use by children, " the TGA

spokeswoman said.

" The TGA has made it clear these drugs are not suitable for children

and adolescents.

" If doctors still prescribe them to children, they should do it in

conjunction with a closely monitored care plan.

" The most the TGA can do at the moment is strengthen its warnings.

It is monitoring the FDA's inquiries and on the basis of those

findings we will decide whether to go further. "

The American findings on Aropax and other drugs in its class are

expected within two months.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?

sectionid=1258 & storyid=1488298

[Guest guest]

Aropax (paxil) Evidence of risk is clear dailytelegraph.news.com.au

By ANNA PATTY Health Reporter

June 17, 2004

THE Federal Government yesterday said there was " credible "

scientific evidence that a drug available on the Pharmaceutical

Benefits Scheme (PBS) could drive children to suicide.

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said he was concerned about a

series of scientific studies on the adverse effects of anti-

depressant drug Aropax.

The studies published by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoKline show

children under 18 taking the drug were at increased risk of feeling

suicidal, hostile and depressed, as reported exclusively in

yesterday's The Daily Telegraph.

" There are credible reports these antidepressant drugs can cause

significant side effects in children, " Mr Abbott said.

" I have asked the PBS committee whether these drugs should stay on

the PBS. "

Aropax has been banned in Britain, and America has advised against

its use.

Yet Australian doctors gave out more than 23,000 prescriptions for

Aropax to children last year and are divided on its risks.

AMA federal councillor and child psychiatrist Dr Choong-Siew Yong

yesterday said the adverse effects associated with Aropax were rare

and there had been an " over-reaction in other countries " .

" In Australia we have taken a more measured approach to educate

doctors, " he said.

" There are a lot of children who have got better from Aropax. I

think it would be a mistake to ban it outright. "

A Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) spokeswoman yesterday said

an inquiry by the US Food and Drug Administration would help

determine whether the drug was banned in here.

The TGA cannot stop doctors from prescribing the drug to children,

even though it is only registered for use by adults.

" The TGA has never registered Aropax for use by children, " the TGA

spokeswoman said.

" The TGA has made it clear these drugs are not suitable for children

and adolescents.

" If doctors still prescribe them to children, they should do it in

conjunction with a closely monitored care plan.

" The most the TGA can do at the moment is strengthen its warnings.

It is monitoring the FDA's inquiries and on the basis of those

findings we will decide whether to go further. "

The American findings on Aropax and other drugs in its class are

expected within two months.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?

sectionid=1258 & storyid=1488298

[Guest guest]

Aropax (paxil) Evidence of risk is clear dailytelegraph.news.com.au

By ANNA PATTY Health Reporter

June 17, 2004

THE Federal Government yesterday said there was " credible "

scientific evidence that a drug available on the Pharmaceutical

Benefits Scheme (PBS) could drive children to suicide.

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said he was concerned about a

series of scientific studies on the adverse effects of anti-

depressant drug Aropax.

The studies published by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoKline show

children under 18 taking the drug were at increased risk of feeling

suicidal, hostile and depressed, as reported exclusively in

yesterday's The Daily Telegraph.

" There are credible reports these antidepressant drugs can cause

significant side effects in children, " Mr Abbott said.

" I have asked the PBS committee whether these drugs should stay on

the PBS. "

Aropax has been banned in Britain, and America has advised against

its use.

Yet Australian doctors gave out more than 23,000 prescriptions for

Aropax to children last year and are divided on its risks.

AMA federal councillor and child psychiatrist Dr Choong-Siew Yong

yesterday said the adverse effects associated with Aropax were rare

and there had been an " over-reaction in other countries " .

" In Australia we have taken a more measured approach to educate

doctors, " he said.

" There are a lot of children who have got better from Aropax. I

think it would be a mistake to ban it outright. "

A Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) spokeswoman yesterday said

an inquiry by the US Food and Drug Administration would help

determine whether the drug was banned in here.

The TGA cannot stop doctors from prescribing the drug to children,

even though it is only registered for use by adults.

" The TGA has never registered Aropax for use by children, " the TGA

spokeswoman said.

" The TGA has made it clear these drugs are not suitable for children

and adolescents.

" If doctors still prescribe them to children, they should do it in

conjunction with a closely monitored care plan.

" The most the TGA can do at the moment is strengthen its warnings.

It is monitoring the FDA's inquiries and on the basis of those

findings we will decide whether to go further. "

The American findings on Aropax and other drugs in its class are

expected within two months.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?

sectionid=1258 & storyid=1488298

[Guest guest]

Aropax (paxil) Evidence of risk is clear dailytelegraph.news.com.au

By ANNA PATTY Health Reporter

June 17, 2004

THE Federal Government yesterday said there was " credible "

scientific evidence that a drug available on the Pharmaceutical

Benefits Scheme (PBS) could drive children to suicide.

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said he was concerned about a

series of scientific studies on the adverse effects of anti-

depressant drug Aropax.

The studies published by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoKline show

children under 18 taking the drug were at increased risk of feeling

suicidal, hostile and depressed, as reported exclusively in

yesterday's The Daily Telegraph.

" There are credible reports these antidepressant drugs can cause

significant side effects in children, " Mr Abbott said.

" I have asked the PBS committee whether these drugs should stay on

the PBS. "

Aropax has been banned in Britain, and America has advised against

its use.

Yet Australian doctors gave out more than 23,000 prescriptions for

Aropax to children last year and are divided on its risks.

AMA federal councillor and child psychiatrist Dr Choong-Siew Yong

yesterday said the adverse effects associated with Aropax were rare

and there had been an " over-reaction in other countries " .

" In Australia we have taken a more measured approach to educate

doctors, " he said.

" There are a lot of children who have got better from Aropax. I

think it would be a mistake to ban it outright. "

A Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) spokeswoman yesterday said

an inquiry by the US Food and Drug Administration would help

determine whether the drug was banned in here.

The TGA cannot stop doctors from prescribing the drug to children,

even though it is only registered for use by adults.

" The TGA has never registered Aropax for use by children, " the TGA

spokeswoman said.

" The TGA has made it clear these drugs are not suitable for children

and adolescents.

" If doctors still prescribe them to children, they should do it in

conjunction with a closely monitored care plan.

" The most the TGA can do at the moment is strengthen its warnings.

It is monitoring the FDA's inquiries and on the basis of those

findings we will decide whether to go further. "

The American findings on Aropax and other drugs in its class are

expected within two months.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?

sectionid=1258 & storyid=1488298