Press Release
June 26, 2003
PAXIL
NOT FOR CHILDREN
Contact information:
Sheila Matthews
Patricia Weathers
National Vice President
National President
www.ablechild.org
www.ablechild.org
203-966-8419
845-677-8115
Today
marks the anniversary of the 1987 signing of the Declaration at the
International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
As Kofi Anna, Secretary-General of the United Nations notes in his
remarks commemorating today's important milestone, "Let's talk about
drugs... ” Underlines the need for children, families, peers, teachers
and communities to talk about drug abuse, admit that it is a problem, and take
responsibility for doing something about it."
With
this important event in mind, our organization is pleased with the Food and Drug
Administration’s recent action regarding issuing a statement that the drug
Paxil should not be used on children because of the increase risk of suicidal
impulses. This recent announcement
comes nine days after Great Britain issued a similar ban of the drug known as
Seroxat (another name for Paxil) for children.
The growing number of behavioral drugs used on school-aged children is at an alarming level. Our organization is concerned with the rise in the use of these drugs as well as the fact that parents are not being provided with all information regarding the many dangerous side effects that the drugs have. This clearly is in violation of parent’s informed consent rights and disables a parent’s ability to make an educated, sound decision. This announcement reinforces the fact that Federal laws are needed to protect our children’s health and safety.
The
recent Paxil finding is just one example of the broader issue, which is selling
drugs to our children without disclosing risks.
The selective distribution of deceptive marketing materials to parents
demonstrates the immediate need for federal policies and an investigation into
the mental health and drug industries marketing campaign targeting our children.
With
profit as a common factor and billions hanging on the line, it is little wonder
that Paxil’s manufacturer failed to disclose certain clinical trials and the
potential risks involved while taking their drug. The fact that the pharmaceutical industry has a tight grip on
the American public and is a billion dollar industry should raise the question
to many: “What other information
is being withheld from parents and consumers regarding the many behavioral drugs
being prescribed to our children today?”
Pending
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