On March 22, 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory regarding the possible worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts in adults and children taking antidepressant medications. Based in part upon studies of antidepressants in children and adolescents, the advisory recommended the close monitoring of all patients either starting on or undergoing a dosage change for antidepressants. This advisory has created an increased level of concern in patients taking these medications, especially the parents of children and adolescents. In response, UniCare today announced a new program that provides network physicians with the FDA advisory and gives them a list of their UniCare children and adolescent patients (18 years old and younger) who they have prescribed an antidepressant for in the last six months. UniCare’s Antidepressant Physician Notification Program serves to provide physicians with clear information on how to integrate the FDA advisory into their medical practice.
