Risks of Direct-To-Consumer Advertising
A new study published November 12, 2009 in the American Journal of Public Health concludes that prescription drug direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) carries significant risks for the public.
The drugs don’t work
There were 36 million prescriptions issued for antidepressant drugs in the United Kingdom in 2008, nearly one for every adult in the population, according to numbers obtained by the Liberal Democrat party. The number is 2.1 million higher than in 2007.
Could Drugs Used to Treat Mood Disorders, Pain and Epilepsy Cause Psychiatric Disorders Later In Life?
According to an October 20, 2009 press release from Georgetown University Medical Center, some drugs used to treat epilepsy, mood disorders and pain may predispose to psychiatric disorders later in life.
Heart patients lacking vitamin D more likely to be depressed
People with heart disease and similar conditions who don’t have enough vitamin D are more likely to be depressed than their counterparts with adequate levels of the “sunshine vitamin,” according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando. This link seems to be even stronger in the winter.
Half of all dementia patients leave hospital in a worse state than when they arrive
Criminal Psychiatrist Alerts
BARLOW SMITH, TEXAS On October 12, 2009, the Medical Board of California issued a Public Letter of Reprimand on psychiatrist BARLOW SMITH of Marble Falls, Texas (Smith is licensed in both states). The state took this action in response to disciplinary action taken against Smith in Texas. On June 18, 2009, the Texas Medical Board reprimanded Smith for unprofessional conduct. The Board found that Barlow engaged in repeated sexual contact with a former patient who was treated by Smith three times in 2007 for depression. The former patient revealed to Smith during her initial assessment that she had a history of sexual abuse in her childhood. In addition to the Texas reprimand, Smith was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and successfully complete a professional boundaries course.
Source: Public Letter of Reprimand, Barlow Smith, M.D., Physician’s and Surgeon’s Certificate No. 6-35320, Case No. 16-2009-201531, Medical Board of California, October 12, 2009 and “Marble Falls psychiatrist disciplined for sex with former patient,” Burnet Bulletin, September 1, 2009.
MARYANN THERESA WEISMAN, PENNSYLVANIA On October 27, 2009, the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine indefinitely suspended psychiatrist MARYANN THERESA WEISMAN because she was unfit to practice as a physician due to mental illness.
Source: Entry on Maryann Theresa Weisman, as found in monthly online Disciplinary Actions report of the Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, October, 2009.
SHADI DUCHESNE, PENNSYLVANIA On October 27, 2009, the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine suspended psychiatrist SHADI DUCHESNE for no less than three years, with suspension immediately stayed in favor of no less than three years of probation, said probation retroactive to September 23, 2008, and subject to certain terms and conditions, because she pled guilty to and was convicted of a misdemeanor relating to a health profession.
Source: Entry on Shadi Duchesne, as found in monthly online Disciplinary Actions report of the Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, October, 2009.