Early January 2004: FDA Official Bars Agency Scientist From Presenting Report on Potential Link Between Antidepressants and Suicide

Russell Katz, director of the FDA’s division of neuropharmacological drug products, informs medical officer Andrew Mosholder that he will not be permitted to present his report on the suicidal side effects of Paxil, Zoloft, and certain other antidepressants. Mosholder—who believes the drugs may increase suicidal tendencies in children (see September 2003)—was scheduled to report his findings at an FDA advisory hearing on February 2. Katz reportedly tells Mosholder his report is biased. When the San Francisco Chronicle asks about this decision, Anne Trontell, deputy director of the agency’s Office of Drug Safety, says Mosholder can’t present the report because it has not yet been “finalized.” [San Francisco Chronicle, 2/1/2004]