Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6267

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

McHenry L.
Ethical issues in psychopharmacology.
J Med Ethics 2006 Jul 01; 32:(7):405-10
http://jme.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/32/7/405

Abstract:

The marketing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the psychopharmacological industry presents a serious moral problem for the corporate model of medicine. In this paper I examine ethical issues relating to the efficacy and safety of these drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have a moral obligation to disclose all information in their possession bearing on the true risks and benefits of their drugs. Only then can patients make fully informed decisions about their treatment.

Keywords:
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/adverse effects Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/therapeutic use* Attitude to Health Bioethical Issues Depressive Disorder/drug therapy Drug Industry/ethics* Humans Marketing of Health Services/ethics* Marketing of Health Services/methods Moral Obligations Patient Education/ethics Risk Factors Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/adverse effects Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use* Treatment Outcome