Op-Ed
USA TODAY
Published in USATODAYSept. 23, 2004
Give sound appraisal of medication's risks
By Jessie C. GrumanUSA TODAY's recent story on the danger of prescribing Prozac to depressed teens was important enough that it did not need to resort to fearmongering (“Prozac linked to child suicide risk,” News, Sept. 14).
While it may be technically true that there was nearly a 50% increase in the rate of suicidal thoughts among depressed kids treated with Prozac compared with those who were given a sugar pill, we are talking about a very small number. A close and more honest reading of the government's figures would show that out of 100 teens observed, only two or three more than expected contemplated suicide — and none actually committed suicide. This information was deep in the story.
The study will legitimately lead to a change in prescribing practices, however, there is no need to trumpet misleading statistics that reflect a scary percentage but a very small risk.
Jessie C. Gruman, president
Center for the Advancement of Health
Washington
