Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Bush vs. the Laureates: How Science Became a Partisan Issue
New York Times article - "Why is science seemingly at war with President Bush? For nearly four years, and with rising intensity, scientists in and out of government have criticized the Bush administration, saying it has selected or suppressed research findings to suit preset policies, skewed advisory panels or ignored unwelcome advice, and quashed discussion within federal research agencies. Administration officials see some of the criticism as partisan, and some perhaps a function of unrealistic expectations on the part of scientists about their role in policy debates..." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Over $35 Million Awarded to Increase Local Substance Abuse Treatment
SAMHSA press release - "HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson today announced 24 grants to expand or enhance access to substance abuse treatment services in communities facing serious, emerging substance abuse problems. The three-year grants total $35 million and are administered through HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). ... Grants are being awarded in four categories: Innovative Approaches, Minority Populations, Rural Areas, and Methamphetamine Treatment." The press release also details recipients of the grants.  
  

APA Responds to New FDA Warning on Antidepressants
Press release, in Adobe Acrobat format, from the APA - "The American Psychiatric Association believes antidepressants save lives. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, antidepressants can be extremely helpful for many young people struggling with depression, an illness with significant long-term consequences, including an increased risk for suicide. We believe the biggest threat to a depressed child’s well-being is to receive no care at all. We restate our continued deep concern that a 'black box' warning on antidepressants may have a chilling effect on appropriate prescribing for patients. This would put seriously ill patients at grave risk..."  
  

Congress Hammers FDA Over Handling of SSRIs
Psychiatric News story - "Officials of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first suspected an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors linked to antidepressant use in children and adolescents in March 1996—eight and a half years ago. Yet no apparent action was taken by the agency until a pattern seemed to emerge in the first half of 2003. During a dramatic pair of hearings before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight last month, FDA officials were repeatedly put on the defensive as to whether there existed a conspiracy to cover up the link between the drugs and harmful behaviors. Unsatisfied with answers and explanations from agency officials during the second hearing, at least two committee members, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), threatened to introduce legislation banning the prescribing of antidepressants to anyone under age 18 'if the FDA didn't act forcefully and swiftly to protect America's children.' "  
  

SSRI Prescriptions to Youth On Decline Since February
Psychiatric News story - "Conflicting emotions, combined with uncertain data, led to the FDA advisory committees' arriving at a split vote recommending black-box warnings for antidepressants. Now concerns about the drugs' safety could make a difficult situation worse. It did not take long for the data on prescriptions of antidepressants to children and adolescents to reflect shifting patterns as physicians reacted last spring to the potential connection between SSRIs and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Now, serious concerns are being expressed about the probable impact of a "black-box" warning, jointly recommended last month by two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committees..."  
  

Access and eligibility are big hurdles (Michigan)
Story in the South Bend Tribune (Indiana) - "How many children could be greatly helped by early, ample mental health care is anybody's guess. But experts agree the needs far outpace what's available. ... with no single entry route into the system, pervasive budget woes and insufficient insurance coverage, hundreds of Michigan children instead end up in detention facilities or as wards of the state. Thousands of others receive inadequate or no mental health care. Access to services is confusing, and eligibility requirements often discourage early intervention, meaning it often takes a crisis to get help.  
  

Mental health care strain weighs on providers (Texas)
Houston Business Journal story - "The number of mental health patients seeking treatment at Ben Taub General Hospital has nearly doubled since 2002 and is steadily climbing, leaving hospital officials strained in the way of financial and human resources. And the recent decision by the Department of State Health Services to allow the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County to serve 430 fewer patients this year is expected to only make matters worse, says Ben Taub Chief of Psychiatry Dr. John Burruss. The cutback, coupled with the likelihood that the agency will not be accepting new patients, has Burruss and other local mental health professionals concerned..."