In another indication that drug companies have more influence with the FDA than is good for our health, Market Watch reports “Lilly to add suicide warning to drug Strattera,”:
Lilly (LLY: news, chart, profile) said it was adding the warning after an analysis requested by the Food and Drug Administration of previous clinical data showed 0.4% of the children who took the drug experienced suicidal thoughts. The analysis also showed that no such thinking was reported amongst children who took a placebo.
Straterra, used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, in children, teenagers, and adults, has been on the market since 2002. Silly me, I thought the FDA was to conduct these sorts of tests before allowing a drug on the market.
The FDA has also:
[I]ssued a public health advisory advising medical professionals and caregivers to closely monitor minors being treated with Strattera for unusual behavioral changes. The agency said that it was particularly important to monitor children during the first few months they are taking the drug or when the dosage is changed.
Can you believe this? It is now offically okay to have your kid be a guinea pig as both the drug maker and FDA leave the product on the market but ask you to keep on eye on Johnny just in case he tries to kill himself.
The background on the problems with the FDA is extensive, with examples here and here. This story offers another compelling reason to exhaust every possible solution to your child’s health issue (or perceived health issue) with diet, environmental, and natural solutions.
