News

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that it was still advising health care practitioners to prescribe the anti-depressant Prozac to children despite a strong recommendation from the European Medicines Agency that it increases susceptibility to suicidal feelings and aggression.

The MHRA said Prozac has been proved in clinical trials to be effective in treating depression in under 18s, and although it was possible the drug was associated with a "small increased risk" of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, it could still be prescribed with careful monitoring.


Chief executive of charity Mind Richard Brooks criticised the MHRA's position.

"The government should now address the problem by providing a different response to dishing out drugs: providing funding for services such as counselling and better social support systems," he said.