| Jan Drew 2006-08-27, 2:26 am |
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http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story....325557&nav=3w6o
ADHD: New Drug Warnings
Aug 25, 2006 07:33 AM EST
The Food and Drug Administration is under scrutiny after quietly announing a
decision to require new warnings on most drugs for ADHD or attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder.
The decision came to light in a letter the FDA sent to a drugmaker. But some
lawmakers are upset, saying parents should have heard the news straight from
the FDA too...and didn't.
There are worries that children -- particularly those with undiagnosed heart
or psychiatric problems -- could be vulnerable to the stimulants. Janet
Hall, whose child died of heart failure says, "...there's no way I would
have subjected my daughter to that because I think her life was more
important than her grades."
Pediatrician Bill Goldman says, "The majority of them are helped a lot, they
are focusing on everything planning skills are better they remember to bring
home their homework, they remember to do their homework"
Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa said parents and doctors deserve
a public announcement, to make decisions in the health interest of children.
One FDA official said their intentions had been clear. But Senator Grassley
said the quiet approach was to protect drugmakers from a drug scare. Sales
of ADHD drugs raked in almost $2 billion so far this year.
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