Antidepressant Risks

A mother's case against Pfizer

While under treatment for anxiety, Candace Downing killed herself in 2004

When a Maryland psychiatrist suggested to Mathy Downing that her 12-year-old daughter take the antidepressant Zoloft in 2003, Downing had every reason to trust the advice. Her daughter, Candace, suffered extreme anxiety when she took tests at school. Mahteme Selassie, the doctor, said Zoloft would relieve the jitters and was safe for children, Downing says. Eleven months later, Candace committed suicide.

It wasn't until this past February, in the midst of a suit Downing filed against Selassie and Zoloft's manufacturer, Pfizer (PFE), that she learned the company had paid the doctor to give talks about Zoloft to other physicians. Selassie said in a deposition that he collected about $12,000 over four years.

Although the amount was modest, that Selassie was paid at all disturbed the grieving mother. Had she known earlier, Downing says, "I wouldn't have gone by blind trust. I would have recognized he had a conflict." Selassie's lawyer says his client can't comment because of the suit.

Downing alleges that Pfizer knew Zoloft can induce suicidal behavior but failed to warn doctors or the public. Pfizer has denied any wrongdoing in court papers. The company says in an e-mail that a Food & Drug Administration analysis found no suicides in three studies of children on Zoloft. Still, after other studies suggested antidepressants increased suicide risks, the FDA mandated in March 2005 that a prominent warning be added to all antidepressant labels.

No governing body obliges doctors to tell patients about industry payments. Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) wants to change that. He has introduced legislation that would require pharmaceutical companies to reveal on a Web site any such payments of $500 or more.