Average Paxil Birth Defect Settlement $1.2 Million

While no amount of money can adequately compensate for a life-altering birth defect allegedly caused by or linked to the use of the antidepressant Paxil, the average settlement in a Paxil birth defect lawsuit appears to be in excess of $1.2 million for each family involved. The Newark Star-Ledger noted in July that Paxil manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (Glaxo) has put aside $2.4 billion for the resolution of litigation involving Paxil and one other drug in Glaxo's product line.

Average Paxil Birth Defect Settlement $1.2 Million

Too many young children are medicated with powerful drugs

Recently while cleaning out my office in anticipation of my new job, I discovered that I had unknowingly been witness to to an historic moment in child psychiatry. I found a binder from a course I had taken in June of 2001 sponsored by Harvard Medical School on Major Psychiatric Illnesses in Children and Adolescents.

Too many young children are medicated with powerful drugs

an oldie but goodie

Edmonton prisoner needed pills prior to guard scuffle and fatal elevator fall

A teen prisoner who fell to his death down a courthouse elevator shaft after tussling with guards had not taken his medication for severe behavioural problems for two weeks, a nurse told an inquiry Tuesday.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston On: Anti-Psychiatric Medication

Scientology Propaganda video featuring Kelly preston, John Travolta, Catherine Bell, Marisol Nichols, and Sofia Milos. Ironicly Jett Travolta the son of Ms Preston and Travolta died at the age of 16 after his Depakote treatment had been halted.

Illinois Medicaid Fraud Case

Illinois Medicaid Fraud Case

The Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights®) announces the unsealing of the first Medicaid Fraud case for prescribing psychiatric drugs to children and youth by someone other than PsychRights using PsychRights’ model Qui Tam Complaint.

When Preschoolers Get Depressed

Childhood should be a carefree time of happiness and discovery. So when doctors begin to talk about depression among preschoolers, it’s no surprise that the diagnosis is met with skepticism, an issue explored in this week’s New York Times Magazine.

When Preschoolers Get Depressed

No Child Left Unmedicated

We are already drugging children into complacency with psychotropic stimulants such as Ritalin if they are bored or distracted in the classroom,

No Child Left Unmedicated

Antivirals for herpes during pregnancy don't cause birth defects, study finds

Antivirals for herpes during pregnancy don't cause birth defects, study finds

A study of birth records in Denmark shows no increase in birth defects among children born to mothers who received the antiviral drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy, researchers said Monday. The drugs are often used to treat herpes simplex and herpes zoster infections.

ADHD, or just immature?

ADHD, or just immature?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is more commonly diagnosed in kids who start school at a younger age. Are we medicating immaturity?

Prescription Drug Use Rises in Children in U.S.

Prescription Drug Use Rises in Children in U.S.

According to the 2010 Drug Trend Report, Prescription drugs, prescription drug use increased by 5 percent in American children in 2009, it is the highest of any other single demographic group. More than one in four insured children are now taking at least one prescription medication to treat a chronic medical condition. Usage of prescription medication has been seen in antipsychotic, asthma, diabetes drugs, there is most significant increase over the past nine years.

Adderall, the Study Drug, Poses Serious Health Risks

Grades are important, but for some overly ambitious students, they are more important than their health.

Adderall is a prescription drug that is prescribed for kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now, the drug is being clandestinely used to improve grades on college campuses. Since the drug is known for its ability to promote concentration and focus, students desperate to get a winning edge in school are popping it in order to enhance their ability to retain knowledge, stay up later and work faster during study sessions.

Adderall, the Study Drug, Poses Serious Health Risks

WHO gives Pfizer vaccine nod for int'l procurement

The World Health Organization has granted prequalification status to Pfizer Inc.'s children's pneumococcal vaccine, Prevenar 13, paving the way for United Nations agencies and governments to start ordering the product.

WHO gives Pfizer vaccine nod for int'l procurement

Lab rats? Drugs for US children tried on Indians

A law intended to speed up development of new drugs for US kids has ended up financing clinical trials in poor countries, where the medicines might never become available.

Lab rats? Drugs for US children tried on Indians

The Hidden Truth: Why Government Wants Your Kids on Cholesterol Drugs…

The Hidden Truth: Why Government Wants Your Kids on Cholesterol Drugs…

If Pfizer has its way, your child's gummy bears may be replaced with chewable Lipitor

Overmedicating Children - Commisions Are Up, So Is The Death Toll

A few less to cremate in the Fema Camps....

Common anesthetic is anti-depressant 'wonder drug': study

Common anesthetic is anti-depressant 'wonder drug': study

Ketamine, a general anesthetic usually administered to children and pets, is also highly effective in low doses as an anti-depressant, according a study published Thursday.

ADHD: Wrong Diagnosis in Some Children

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.) splits health professionals and parents alike, and it has been shown that around one million children are misdiagnosed with the disorder. This has come about due to them being the unlucky child in their year, being the least mature and/or the youngest in their class.

ADHD: Wrong Diagnosis in Some Children

Psychedelic Drugs Might Help Treat Mental Illness

They're illicit, lead to hallucinations and out-there sensations, and can be dangerous and even downright deadly. But illegal psychedelic drugs such as ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms and ketamine might also be able to help treat myriad serious medical conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psychedelic Drugs Might Help Treat Mental Illness

New study: 85% of Big Pharma's new drugs are "lemons" and pose health risks to users

New study: 85% of Big Pharma's new drugs are "lemons" and pose health risks to users

For years, natural health proponents have been sounding the alarm about the dangers of new drugs being pushed on consumers. But is that a one-sided, inaccurate view? Not at all. In fact, new research now shows the problems with Big Pharma's hugely hyped medications are far worse than most people have even dreamed. Independent reviewers found that about 85 percent of new drugs offer few if any new benefits -- but they carry the risk of causing serious harm to users.

AstraZeneca Wins Dismissal of Verus Suit Over Plan to Develop Asthma Drug

AstraZeneca Plc won dismissal of a lawsuit in which it was accused of backing out of a deal with Verus Pharmaceuticals Inc. to develop a children’s asthma drug and instead aligning with competitor Map Pharmaceuticals Inc.

AstraZeneca Wins Dismissal of Verus Suit Over Plan to Develop Asthma Drug

One million children may be misdiagnosed with ADHD: study

One million children may be misdiagnosed with ADHD: study

Almost one million children in the United States are potentially misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) because they were the youngest and least mature in their kindergarten classes, a US study released Tuesday found.

1 Million Children Misdiagnosed With ADHD?

Could selling cheap malaria drugs in private stores harm children's health?

Could selling cheap malaria drugs in private stores harm children's health?

In a guest contribution, Oxfam's Mohga Kamal-Yanni argues that the Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria has chosen the wrong way to tackle the problem of malaria drug shortages in poor countries

New Target Alert!!!

Data presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association showed that the number of college students with a serious mental illness is rising, reported the Los Angeles Times.

Study Finds An Increase In Mental Illness Among College Students

School Immunization Rush Underway

Many local families are getting in the back-to-school mode. There's a myriad of things to take care of when it comes to the new school year, including required immunizations.

Tylenol Use Linked to Asthma, Other Allergies in Teens

Teens from around the world who regularly take acetaminophen, best known as Tylenol, were more than twice as likely to have asthma as teens who never take the over-the-counter pain and fever reducer, new research finds.

Tylenol Use Linked to Asthma, Other Allergies in Teens

Study: Autism diagnosis could be made as early as one month

While most children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are diagnosed around age 2 or 3, a new study suggests it may someday be possible to flag these children as young as just a few months old. The idea that an autistic child could be diagnosed as an infant, and therefore be able to get the earliest treatment possible, is intriguing to experts in the field. The new study of babies who'd been placed in the neo-natal intensive care unit after birth was originally intended to research infant development. "This was not meant to be an autism study, but they went back and said: 'Mmm we have some features here that can differentiate the kids with autism compared with kids who don't,'" explains Dr. Max Wiznitzer of Cleveland's UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Some of the children who were later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder had developmental anomalies as young babies including differences in muscle tone and how they responded to noises and visual patterns. The differences were subtle, and experts say could not be identified by a parent. It's too early to generalize these findings to healthy newborns. "These were babies who were sick enough that they ended up in an intensive care unit and then were followed afterwards to monitor their development," Dr. Wiznitzer says. Still, these red flags could be used in future infant autism studies. The hope is to find solid autism markers that doctors can look for even in their tiniest patients. Even though there's no real cure for autism experts say getting these children into treatment programs as early as possible helps. Current early signs of autism include not making eye contact, not responding to their name, repetitive behaviors and not socializing or interacting appropriately.

Asthma drug ruling 'nonsensical'

Asthma drug ruling 'nonsensical'

The NHS watchdog has been accused of being "nonsensical" for denying young children with severe asthma access to a drug.

ADHD: Who makes the diagnosis?

As a toddler, Ian Barrier got expelled from day care.

"They just said that he was all over the place, he couldn't handle the structure, they didn't have the staff or the skills to deal with it," said his mother, Amy Barr. "They said, 'We think he has ADD or ADHD' and I'm like, 'What is that?"

ADHD: Who makes the diagnosis?

Little evidence antidepressants helpful for autism

Little evidence antidepressants helpful for autism

While antidepressants are commonly given to people with autism, there is no evidence from clinical trials that the drugs are helpful for children with the disorder, and only limited evidence that they benefit adults, a new research review finds.

Retired military families not eligible for autism treatment benefit

Retired military families not eligible for autism treatment benefit

When Zachary Berge was diagnosed with autism shortly after his second birthday, he couldn't speak a word. He often threw tantrums because he couldn't express himself.

Are we over medicating our kids?

It is summer camp season for kids and well run camps require a medical history and record of prescription medications that the child is taking. One prestigious camp for teens in Southern California had 153 residential teenagers last week. The ages are 11 to 19 with the average camper age 16. These kids come from California and other states across the U.S. Fifty percent come from out of state and a number of campers each week are international. OK, so far so good. Healthy teens getting together for a week of learning and fun. Here is the shocker!

Are we over medicating our kids?

Testosterone Regulation and Autism

Testosterone Regulation and Autism

Testosterone regulation involves using a drug, such as leuprolide, to reduce the amount of testosterone and oestrogen in your body.

Some Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial Results Are Buried, Study Shows

Investors interested in pharma stocks and patients eager to know if an experimental drug works have one thing in common: they devour stories reporting the results of clinical trials, which assess whether a new drug is safe and effective. Now it turns out they have something else in common: they’re not getting the whole story.

Some Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial Results Are Buried, Study Shows

Study Suggests Drug Studies Funded By The Pharmaceutical Are Often More Positive

Study Suggests Drug Studies Funded By The Pharmaceutical Are Often More Positive

A new study from researchers at Children's Hospital Boston suggests that clinical trials that are funded through sources within the pharmaceutical industry are more likely to give positive results than those funded through other means.

A child drugging and brainwashing facility.

Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services has been providing specialized services and therapeutic treatment to generations of Southern California children. Vista Del Mar offers a comprehensive range of social and psychological services that include psychiatric residential treatment, day treatment, outpatient, individual, family, and group therapy, medical and dental services provided on site by doctors and registered nurses, community treatment units, educational and vocational services, foster care and complete adoption services. From its original mission in 1908 as an orphanage, Vista Del Mar has evolved to the forefront of dealing with victims of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, domestic violence and family dysfunction. The broad-based approach to these problems is evident from the diversity of programs offered to emotionally impaired children, ages 2 to 18, of all ethnicities and backgrounds, and their familie

EEG test can help get patient on right meds

McMaster psychiatrists and engineers have worked together to find a faster way to get the right drug to the right patient.

EEG test can help get patient on right meds

When A Drugmaker Funds A Study, The Results Look Rosier

When A Drugmaker Funds A Study, The Results Look Rosier

When it comes to the influence that drugmakers can exert on clinical research, it's hard to surprise us anymore.

Group sues over forced medication of patients at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals

New Jersey psychiatric hospitals regularly medicate patients against their will, and state law prevents an outside review of medication practices, according to a federal lawsuit filed by a patient advocacy group.

Group sues over forced medication of patients at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals

The Manufacturing of Madness: Profits Before Progress

The Manufacturing of Madness: Profits Before Progress

Drug companies have been instrumental in promoting psychiatric diagnoses designed to market drugs. These corporate giants persuade consumers that a gamut of what may be common human feelings can be interpreted as serious psychopathology. They even invent diagnoses in a way that will best sell costly and profitable drugs. People suffering from emotional problems are often duped into adding to corporate profits and become distracted from the possibility of making progress in coping with their pain.

Pfizer Officials Sued by Investors

A union pension fund has sued drugmaker Pfizer, saying that directors should be held liable for the company's repeated violations of federal laws governing drug-marketing practices that resulted in the company having to pay a $2.3 billion settlement.

Pfizer Officials Sued by Investors

CCHR co-founder, Dr. Thomas Szasz, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus

http://www.cchrint.org/szasz - Dr. Thomas Szasz is co-founder of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) a psychiatric/mental health watchdog. He is a professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, author of 35 critically acclaimed books on psychiatry and the mental health industry. To see Thomas Szasz's full CV, including more than 40 international awards and recognitions for his outstanding and precedent setting work, click here

Cruelty in the name of psychiatry

Dr Breggin, an international authority in psychiatric medicine, has stated in his book 'Brain disabling treatments in psychiatry’(page 12) that,

'Psychiatric drugs achieve their primary or essential effect by causing brain dysfunction and they tend to do far more harm than good.

Cruelty in the name of psychiatry