The majority of the 14 drugs mentioned in the study are anti-psychotics and anti-depressants. The authors of the study have raised concerns that many of these drugs may not be safe, or at least not sufficiently studied, to be prescribed for off-label use.
Surrey Walton, a study researcher and an assistant professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago, commented on the study, saying "Off-label prescribing is not based on the same level of evidence as on-label prescribing. ... Typically, drugs have to pass a number of safety tests. ... But once they are put on the market, because they have received approval for an on-label indication, they can be used off-label."
Walton says that most patients don't realize that once a drug is approved, any physician can prescribe the medication for any use. One 2006 study on the subject of off-label use found that only 27 percent of off-label uses for prescription drugs in 2001 had adequate scientific support for those uses. (Source: health.usnews.com)
Labels: prescription_drugs, anti-depression medications
Posted By: Aspen Education Group