HHS Moves to Curb Antidepressant Use as 16% of Americans Take the Drugs
Updated
Updated · Spectrum News · Jul 2
HHS Moves to Curb Antidepressant Use as 16% of Americans Take the Drugs
1 articles · Updated · Spectrum News · Jul 2
Summary
HHS is advancing a plan to limit some antidepressant use, saying it will examine prescribing trends, diagnostic thresholds and treatment risks and benefits, while the FDA reviews labeling for older generic drugs.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has argued psychiatric drugs should no longer be the default and has claimed SSRIs can fuel violence, addiction and severe withdrawal—assertions psychiatrists say are false.
The American Psychiatric Association says the bigger problem is access to care, not overprescription, warning the campaign could deepen stigma and deter patients who need medication.
The dispute is unfolding as mental illness remains widespread—1 in 5 Americans are affected—and after New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. disclosed a depression diagnosis following four months out of public view.
APA President Mark Rapaport is set to join an HHS technical expert panel on SSRI prescribing, a meeting the group says should keep science and evidence at the center.