Posted by greywolf on March 23, 2006, at 7:34:19
In reply to Depression drugs work in just half of patients, posted by jerrympls on March 23, 2006, at 1:00:09
As long as the study leads to a greater effort to find new and more effective meds, I'm glad the study was done.Unfortunately, I see this going in a different direction. Insurers and HMOs will use this study as justification to restrict access to drugs that are effective for that other half of the treatment population. The FDA will probably take an even tougher stand on new meds, meaning even fewer of the drugs that the rest of the world enjoys will ever make it into the American market.
Cheerlead the study all you want, but the reality is that depression, BP, OCD, etc., are extraordinarily difficult illnesses to treat. A success rate even approaching 50% for depression should, in my humble opinion, be applauded, not criticized. There is certainly room for valid criticism, but given the importance of these meds for so many people, it should be directed at specific ineffective drugs or treatment programs.
Mark my words, this study will be misused and abused by the "it's all in your mind" and the "just suck it up and get on with life" crowd.
poster:greywolf
thread:623557
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060322/msgs/623585.html