10/12/2004 EUROPEAN REGULATOR ...states PROZAC UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN

[Guest guest]

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

[Guest guest]

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

[Guest guest]

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

[Guest guest]

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

[Guest guest]

Date: December 10, 2004

Kathy Sawyer, Commissioner Alabama Dept. of Mental Health &

Retardation

(Regulator of Madison County Mental Health Center)

Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie

(Partially Funds Madison County Mental Health Center)

From:Dr. Lance, D.C.

Daughter of Alma Virginia

Antidepressent Suicide Victim

(Former patient, Madison County Mental Health Center

RE: ABC Prime Time Life-Paxil-Suicide and Withdrawal Program Dec. 9, 2004

UK-Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use

(CHMP) -Antidepressent unsafe for children

Is the Madison County Mental Health Center prescribing Paxil or other

antidpressents that can cause children to commit suicide?

Commissioner Sawyer, are you documenting the number of suicides committed in

Madison County and if those suicide victims were under the influence of

psychotrophic medications?

If so, is this data being reported to the FDA for their consideration while

reveiew the data for consideration of the safety of antidepressents for

suicide in adults as well as children?

Is it not true that Madison County has the highest rate of involuntary

psychiatric commitments in the State of Alabama generating thousands of

dollars to support the community programs regulated by the Alabama

Department of Mental Health and Regardation from private assets, private

insurance, Medicare and Medicaide?

Is it not true that in 2003 during the first year of the Mental Health

Officer Program funded by the Madison County Commission 11/14/02 that the

involuntary commitment rate approximately tripled?

The Madison County Probate Court collects $12 for every first page filed in

the Probate Court for " Mental Health " .

Madison County Probate Judge Tommy Ragland has not responded to my 3/11/03

Open records request to advise who is the recipient of those funds that

increase the cost of filing every first page from $7.95-$19.95. Could you

please tell me if those funds are used to support the Madison County Mental

Health Center, to pay for the legal fees of guardian ad litems or

Burton that completes 99% of the commitment petitions or both?

What percentage of involuntarily committed Alabamians are presribed Paxil as

was my Mother before her suicide?

Thank you very much.

****************************************************************************

****************

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

10/12/2004 EUROPEAN REGULATOR ...states PROZAC

" UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN "

[Guest guest]

Date: December 10, 2004

Kathy Sawyer, Commissioner Alabama Dept. of Mental Health &

Retardation

(Regulator of Madison County Mental Health Center)

Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie

(Partially Funds Madison County Mental Health Center)

From:Dr. Lance, D.C.

Daughter of Alma Virginia

Antidepressent Suicide Victim

(Former patient, Madison County Mental Health Center

RE: ABC Prime Time Life-Paxil-Suicide and Withdrawal Program Dec. 9, 2004

UK-Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use

(CHMP) -Antidepressent unsafe for children

Is the Madison County Mental Health Center prescribing Paxil or other

antidpressents that can cause children to commit suicide?

Commissioner Sawyer, are you documenting the number of suicides committed in

Madison County and if those suicide victims were under the influence of

psychotrophic medications?

If so, is this data being reported to the FDA for their consideration while

reveiew the data for consideration of the safety of antidepressents for

suicide in adults as well as children?

Is it not true that Madison County has the highest rate of involuntary

psychiatric commitments in the State of Alabama generating thousands of

dollars to support the community programs regulated by the Alabama

Department of Mental Health and Regardation from private assets, private

insurance, Medicare and Medicaide?

Is it not true that in 2003 during the first year of the Mental Health

Officer Program funded by the Madison County Commission 11/14/02 that the

involuntary commitment rate approximately tripled?

The Madison County Probate Court collects $12 for every first page filed in

the Probate Court for " Mental Health " .

Madison County Probate Judge Tommy Ragland has not responded to my 3/11/03

Open records request to advise who is the recipient of those funds that

increase the cost of filing every first page from $7.95-$19.95. Could you

please tell me if those funds are used to support the Madison County Mental

Health Center, to pay for the legal fees of guardian ad litems or

Burton that completes 99% of the commitment petitions or both?

What percentage of involuntarily committed Alabamians are presribed Paxil as

was my Mother before her suicide?

Thank you very much.

****************************************************************************

****************

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

10/12/2004 EUROPEAN REGULATOR ...states PROZAC

" UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN "

[Guest guest]

Date: December 10, 2004

Kathy Sawyer, Commissioner Alabama Dept. of Mental Health &

Retardation

(Regulator of Madison County Mental Health Center)

Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie

(Partially Funds Madison County Mental Health Center)

From:Dr. Lance, D.C.

Daughter of Alma Virginia

Antidepressent Suicide Victim

(Former patient, Madison County Mental Health Center

RE: ABC Prime Time Life-Paxil-Suicide and Withdrawal Program Dec. 9, 2004

UK-Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use

(CHMP) -Antidepressent unsafe for children

Is the Madison County Mental Health Center prescribing Paxil or other

antidpressents that can cause children to commit suicide?

Commissioner Sawyer, are you documenting the number of suicides committed in

Madison County and if those suicide victims were under the influence of

psychotrophic medications?

If so, is this data being reported to the FDA for their consideration while

reveiew the data for consideration of the safety of antidepressents for

suicide in adults as well as children?

Is it not true that Madison County has the highest rate of involuntary

psychiatric commitments in the State of Alabama generating thousands of

dollars to support the community programs regulated by the Alabama

Department of Mental Health and Regardation from private assets, private

insurance, Medicare and Medicaide?

Is it not true that in 2003 during the first year of the Mental Health

Officer Program funded by the Madison County Commission 11/14/02 that the

involuntary commitment rate approximately tripled?

The Madison County Probate Court collects $12 for every first page filed in

the Probate Court for " Mental Health " .

Madison County Probate Judge Tommy Ragland has not responded to my 3/11/03

Open records request to advise who is the recipient of those funds that

increase the cost of filing every first page from $7.95-$19.95. Could you

please tell me if those funds are used to support the Madison County Mental

Health Center, to pay for the legal fees of guardian ad litems or

Burton that completes 99% of the commitment petitions or both?

What percentage of involuntarily committed Alabamians are presribed Paxil as

was my Mother before her suicide?

Thank you very much.

****************************************************************************

****************

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

10/12/2004 EUROPEAN REGULATOR ...states PROZAC

" UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN "

[Guest guest]

Date: December 10, 2004

Kathy Sawyer, Commissioner Alabama Dept. of Mental Health &

Retardation

(Regulator of Madison County Mental Health Center)

Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie

(Partially Funds Madison County Mental Health Center)

From:Dr. Lance, D.C.

Daughter of Alma Virginia

Antidepressent Suicide Victim

(Former patient, Madison County Mental Health Center

RE: ABC Prime Time Life-Paxil-Suicide and Withdrawal Program Dec. 9, 2004

UK-Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use

(CHMP) -Antidepressent unsafe for children

Is the Madison County Mental Health Center prescribing Paxil or other

antidpressents that can cause children to commit suicide?

Commissioner Sawyer, are you documenting the number of suicides committed in

Madison County and if those suicide victims were under the influence of

psychotrophic medications?

If so, is this data being reported to the FDA for their consideration while

reveiew the data for consideration of the safety of antidepressents for

suicide in adults as well as children?

Is it not true that Madison County has the highest rate of involuntary

psychiatric commitments in the State of Alabama generating thousands of

dollars to support the community programs regulated by the Alabama

Department of Mental Health and Regardation from private assets, private

insurance, Medicare and Medicaide?

Is it not true that in 2003 during the first year of the Mental Health

Officer Program funded by the Madison County Commission 11/14/02 that the

involuntary commitment rate approximately tripled?

The Madison County Probate Court collects $12 for every first page filed in

the Probate Court for " Mental Health " .

Madison County Probate Judge Tommy Ragland has not responded to my 3/11/03

Open records request to advise who is the recipient of those funds that

increase the cost of filing every first page from $7.95-$19.95. Could you

please tell me if those funds are used to support the Madison County Mental

Health Center, to pay for the legal fees of guardian ad litems or

Burton that completes 99% of the commitment petitions or both?

What percentage of involuntarily committed Alabamians are presribed Paxil as

was my Mother before her suicide?

Thank you very much.

****************************************************************************

****************

Response to Letter from Healy to MHRA 5th November 2004

http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?

forumid=281849 & messageid=1102678131

Prozac is risky for children too.

More safety checks are needed

say experts

European drug regulators are concerned that Prozac, like its sister

antidepressants, is unsafe for children, contrary to UK advice.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) reviewed

all of the available data.

It said there was an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and

thoughts with all antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

UK regulators say the benefits of Prozac in under 18s outweigh any

risk.

Suicide risk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued this

advice last year after its own review.

It said other SSRIs were too risky for children.

This week, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence called on

doctors to exercise more caution in prescribing antidepressants.

Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor.

A spokesman from the CHMP

The CHMP will now inform the European Commission that there are

public health concerns in relation to the safe use of these drugs in

children and adolescents with depression, anxiety and related

conditions, irrespective of the therapeutic indication.

It will recommend further safety investigations are carried out.

In the meantime, SSRIs should generally not be used in children or

adolescents, it said, but it warned against anyone stopping their

treatment without first seeking medical advice.

" Patients or parents who have any concerns about the medication are

advised to consult the treating doctor at the next available

opportunity to discuss treatment, " it said.

Safety checks

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: " The MHRA has

acted faster and gone further than any other regulator in the world

to take action on emerging safety issues relating to SSRIs.

" After a thorough review of the data, the UK advised that the

treatment of childhood depression with any SSRI except Prozac should

not continue.

" The UK is the only country in Europe to have issued comprehensive

advice about the use of all SSRIs in children. "

Eli Lilly, the makers of Prozac, has said that while the use of anti-

depressants can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour in children,

there have been no reported deaths.

A spokesman said: " However, when people with depression are left

untreated, 15% will actually commit suicide.

" Lilly believes medication should be prescribed only after a careful

diagnosis is made, and continued only if it clearly benefits the

child. Because suicidal thinking is an inherent part of depression,

we believe careful monitoring of patients is very important. "

The company has also stressed it has never marketed Prozac for use

in paediatric patients.

Growing numbers of youngsters in the UK are being prescribed

antidepressants, according to authors of a study in the British

Medical Journal this week.

At the end of 2003 more than 50,000 children were being given the

medication, with more than 170,000 prescriptions for antidepressants

issued to under-18s in the UK, they said.

Lead researcher Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent

psychiatrist in Lincolnshire, said research suggested that SSRIs

were largely ineffective and may be dangerous in young children.

He said there should be more emphasis on non-medical treatments for

children with depression.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4083545.stm>

10/12/2004 EUROPEAN REGULATOR ...states PROZAC

" UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN "