Survey backs need for drug monitoring

Campaigners in Scotland have called for psychiatric drugs to be
independently regulated after six out of 10 users claimed to have
experienced side-effects from their medication.

A Scottish Association of Mental Health survey of 750 users of
prescription drugs reported that while more than half found them
helpful, many also suffered weight gain, sexual problems, panic
attacks and sluggishness caused by certain anti-psychotics and
anti-depressants.

The association said improved mechanisms are needed for the direct
reporting of side-effects of such drugs, with a new system of
reporting these to an independent monitor.

– Survey results at www.samh.org.uk/news_drugsreport.html