The Cutting Edge: Selling Sickness

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SSRI-Research@

Mon, 4 Oct 2004 20:22:07 -0400

" The Cutting Edge: Selling Sickness " : T.V. show out of

Australia but story confined to U.S. and Canada

 

This article states: " In recent years, Americans have been bombarded

with television advertisements for anti-depressant drugs such as Paxil

(Aropax or Paxtine in Australia), which they were told were safe and

non-addictive. The clinical-trial results were encouraging, as were

their GPs. What the public weren't told was that almost all the trials

were funded by the pharmaceutical industry and, in some cases, only

the positive results were made public. No warnings about possible side

effects, particularly in children, were put on the drugs. "

 

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/04/1096850393109.html?onfiltered=true

 

The Cutting Edge: Selling Sickness

By Judy Adamson

October 5, 2004

 

The Cutting Edge: Selling Sickness, SBS, 8.30pm

 

In North America, the equivalent of taking a Valium seems to be

branding stress as " social anxiety disorder " and popping pills

accordingly.

 

Although the story told by Australian filmmakers Catherine Scott and

Pat Fiske is almost entirely confined to the US and Canada, the

documentary is particularly relevant here given the wrangling that has

taken place over the pharmaceutical element of the free trade

agreement with the US.

 

In recent years, Americans have been bombarded with television

advertisements for anti-depressant drugs such as Paxil (Aropax or

Paxtine in Australia), which they were told were safe and

non-addictive. The clinical-trial results were encouraging, as were

their GPs. What the public weren't told was that almost all the trials

were funded by the pharmaceutical industry and, in some cases, only

the positive results were made public. No warnings about possible side

effects, particularly in children, were put on the drugs.

 

We meet people who have found, to their cost, the addictive nature of

their medication, or have had children commit suicide while in a

drug-induced psychosis. A father observes that normal life experiences

are being medicalised rather than being thought through. It's sobering

viewing.