Drug Companies: Killing Kids for Profit

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Drug-Companies-Killing-Ki-by-Dr-Stuart-Jeanne-B-110513-689.html

The Myth of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

Practicing psychiatry for eight and a half years in New Zealand has given me a unique perspective on childhood bipolar disorder, in my view the most dangerous "made in America" condition. This, too, is a condition virtually unknown outside the US. My membership in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has led to an acquaintance with Melbourne psychiatrist Dr. Peter Parry and his work exposing a conspiracy by Eli Lilly and other American drug companies to pressure psychiatrists, pediatricians and primary care physicians to prescribe dangerous antipsychotic drugs "off-label" to American children.

Drug Companies Are Deliberately Breaking the Law

Prescribing "off-label" refers to using medication for an indication that hasn't been approved by the FDA. As yet no antipsychotics have been approved for use in children - drugs must meet extremely high safety standards for the FDA to allow their use in children. Moreover it's illegal for drug companies to market medications to doctors or the public for "off-label" uses. However the fines they pay are so miniscule compared to the massive potential profits, that it's considered good business practice to pay the fine and keep on doing it anyway. (see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32694936/ns/business-us_business/, http://www.cheatingculture.com/off-label-marketing/, and http://www.false-claims-act.com/2010/02/09/eli-lilly-settles-for-largest-criminal-fine-in-us-history/

More at the link --

[blue neen]

1. Big Pharma is evil incarnate,

but it is not a myth that some children have bipolar disorder.

[Brickbat]

2. Very true.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. "Made in America" condition, interesting term

So many commercials for drugs to cure "made in America' conditions. Or commercials that make real conditions seem worse than they are. Prime example - frequent urination. The commercials really tug at the emotions - your family will hate if you go to the restroom too much.