FDA examines question of artificial food coloring and hyperactivity

Are food dyes linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children? The Food and Drug Administration is publicly considering that question for the first time in years.

FDA examines question of artificial food coloring and hyperactivity

And they'll cover it up too. Would be bad for business.

http://legallykidnapped.blogspot.com/2011/03/police-use-assault-weapons-and-tank.html

According to the Detroit News, a 56-year-old woman faces multiple felony charges and is being held on $500,000 bond after a 10-hour standoff with police, claiming she was protecting her 13-year-old daughter from unnecessary medication. The story which led to this incident, as reported in the Detroit News and The Voice of Detroit, is quite disturbing.

Police use Assault Weapons and Tank against Home School Mom wanting to protect daughter from Dangerous Medications

Psychotropic Drug Use in Foster Care

In June of 2010, the US Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigatory arm of the Federal Government, to investigate the prevalence of prescribed psychotropic medications for children in foster care.

Psychotropic Drug Use in Foster Care

Doctors Warn About ‘Facebook Depression’ In Teens

Add “Facebook depression” to potential harms linked with social media, an influential doctors’ group warns, referring to a condition it says may affect troubled teens who obsess over the online site.

Doctors Warn About ‘Facebook Depression’ In Teens

Behaviour drugs given to children as young as four

The article entitled Dumbing Down Society Part I: Foods, Beverages and Meds discussed the current trend of loading this generation’s youth with prescription drugs, namely Ritalin. Well the trend is definitely not fading and it has been observed that drugs are being prescribed to increasingly younger children. Can we really give a four year-old child an “Attention Deficit Disorder” diagnosis? Which four year old DOESN’T lack attention? Should we drug them all? Here’s an article from The Guardian on the subject.

Behaviour drugs given to children as young as four

ADHD Drug Has Mixed Results in Young Kids

Young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had mixed results when treated with the nonstimulant drug atomoxetine (Strattera), according to outcomes from a randomized clinical trial.

ADHD Drug Has Mixed Results in Young Kids

Study planned on prescriptions in Ga. foster care

A pilot program will study of the use of psychotropic drugs in Georgia's foster care system.

Study planned on prescriptions in Ga. foster care

Behaviour drugs given to four-year-olds prompt calls for inquiry

Children as young as four are being given Ritalin-style medication for behavioural problems in breach of NHS guidelines, the Guardian has discovered, prompting the leading psychological society to call for a national review.

Behaviour drugs given to four-year-olds prompt calls for inquiry

Fresno foster mom, 23, arrested in baby girl's death

Fresno foster mom, 23, arrested in baby girl's death

Children as young as four are being given Ritalin-style medication for behavioural problems in breach of NHS guidelines, the Guardian has discovered, prompting the leading psychological society to call for a national review.

Billion Dollar Drug Company Law Firm Restructures Connecticut Welfare System

For some time now, Sheila Matthews has been suspicious about her home state of Connecticut’s treatment of its most vulnerable children. As a mother of two children and co-founder of Ablechild, her instincts led her to scrutinize the dubious relationships among Connecticut’s Department of Children and Family Services [DCF], the pharmaceutical industry and a billion dollar law firm who has defended the likes of Pfizer Inc and Merck & Co., among others.

Billion Dollar Drug Company Law Firm Restructures Connecticut Welfare System

Rhode Island to receive $908,838 from AstraZeneca settlement

Rhode Island to receive $908,838 from AstraZeneca settlement

Rhode Island is expected to receive $908,838 from a $68.5 million settlement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP from alleged improper marketing of Seroquel, an antipsychotic drug.

Ohio to receive $2.7 million in settlement over Seroquel marketing

Ohio to receive $2.7 million in settlement over Seroquel marketing

Ohio will receive $2.6 million of a $68.5 million settlement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals over marketing of antipsychotic drug Seroquel.

AstraZeneca Settles Seroquel Marketing Suit for $68.5M

AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) will pay $68.5 million to 37 states and the District of Columbia in a settlement over the British drugmaker's deceptive marketing of its anti-psychotic drug Seroquel. The settlement is the largest multi-state, consumer protection pharmaceutical settlement of record, reports Reuters. Regulators accused the company of unfair and misleading marketing of the drug for unapproved uses. While physicians can prescribe medication for other uses, companies are not allowed to market drugs beyond approved uses. The company promoted Seroquel, which was only approved for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, for dementia, depression and anxiety as well. The accusation also states AstraZeneca failed to fully disclose of potential side effects and the negative results of a scientific study about the drug's safety and effectiveness. Seroquel had worldwide 2010 sales of $5.3 billion. Paula Dow, attorney general of New Jersey, said, "This case sends a message that we take seriously the duty pharmaceutical companies have to supply clear, accurate and complete information about their products to health care providers, and to market their products without deception or misleading claims." Tony Jewell, a company spokesman, said of the settlement, "While we deny the allegations, AstraZeneca believes it is important to bring these matters to a close and move forward with our business of providing medicines to patients."

Teacher fired for bumper sticker highlighting the over-medication of children

When Tarah Ausburn, a former English teacher at Imagine Prep High School in Surprise, Ariz., refused to remove a bumper sticker from her car that asked the question, "Have you drugged your kids today?" officials fired her, according to reports from KPHO CBS 5 in Phoenix. The sticker, which Ausburn told reporters makes a statement about the over-medication of today's children, sits among 60 other controversial stickers that may have also played a role in her dismissal.

Teacher fired for bumper sticker highlighting the over-medication of children

Have you drugged your kid today?

I used to work as a psychiatric technician (read: glorified baby sitter with Bachelor’s Degree) on a children’s mental health crisis unit at an urban hospital. I could go on for hours about the heartache, trauma, and anguish of suicidal seven year-olds and anorexic eight year-olds, but today I want to talk about the treatment – specifically, the medication.

Have you drugged your kid today?

Psychologists seek prescribing rights in 6 states

Proponents say psychologists would better meet patient needs, but opponents say a lack of training would threaten patient safety.

Psychologists seek prescribing rights in 6 states

3rd UPDATE: FDA Strengthens Topamax Warning On Birth Defects Data

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is strengthening warnings on topiramate, an antiseizure drug that is also used to prevent migraines, because new data suggest an increased risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy.

3rd UPDATE: FDA Strengthens Topamax Warning On Birth Defects Data

Fart Machine Help for Dyslexia

Fart Machine Help for Dyslexia

An Oxford-based company claims to be helping people learn to read with the aid of fart machines.

"Our approach is to diagnose the underlying cause of reading difficulty and then deal with it. The most common pattern is lots of guessing, particularly with short words," says David Morgan, company CEO. "If you have seen that, we can help."

Michigan kids overprescribed antibiotics

A study says Michigan children are among state residents who continue to be over treated with prescription antibiotic drugs.

Michigan kids overprescribed antibiotics