Friday, February 11, 2005

Canadian regulators order attention-deficit drug withdrawn USA Today story - "Canadian regulators ordered a drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder off the market because of reports that it has been linked to 20 sudden deaths and a dozen strokes, including some among children. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, said it had evaluated the same reports on Adderall XR and doesn't believe the data warrants similar action in the United States. In a statement late Wednesday, Health Canada said it is asking makers of related stimulants used to treat the commonly diagnosed condition to provide a thorough review of their worldwide safety data. "  
  

Crisis in children's mental health (Canada) Toronto Star story - "For years, they have pleaded for money and services to help children who are depressed, violent or suicidal. This week, parents and professionals caring for kids with mental illness got a sign that maybe somebody is starting to pay attention. On Monday, about 30 medical experts, advocates and parents from across Canada and even Britain came to Toronto to deliver their plea at a special roundtable on children's mental health. The meeting was aimed at moving the issue higher up on the public health agenda. Those listening included Senator Michael Kirby, chair of a federal committee reviewing Canada's mental health system, and Bill Wilkerson, head of a national initiative to address mental health in the workplace, and the organizer of the meeting..." See also, at the same source, Tackling the issue of teen suicide - "Canada holds the unhappy distinction of having the worst adolescent suicide rate among the world's leading industrial powers. Every year, 300 kids between the ages of 10 and 19 kill themselves. ...  [T]he tragedy is largely preventable. Depression among young people — which accounts for 75 to 90 per cent of suicides — can easily be treated. Problems that seem overwhelming to a teenager with an undiagnosed mental illness are usually manageable, once he or she gets help. The trouble is 80 per cent of these kids suffer in silence. Their condition is never identified or treated. Their parents run themselves ragged, trying to convince doctors, teachers, social workers and school board officials that something is wrong."