Prescription Of Antidepressants For Troops Serving In Iraq And Afghanistan

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On Wednesday, July 22, 2009 the US Senate approved an amendment (SA 1475 page:S7416) proposed by Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) to the 2010 defense authorization bill (S. 1390) that would order an independent study by the National Institute of Mental Health on the potential relationship between suicide or suicide attempts and the use of antidepressants, anti-anxiety and other behavior-modifying prescription drugs.

The text of this amendment follows:

SEC. 724. PRESCRIPTION OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOR TROOPS SERVING IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

(a) Report.–

(1) IN GENERAL.–Not later than June 30, 2010, and annually thereafter until June 30, 2015, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the prescription of antidepressants and drugs to treat anxiety for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(2) CONTENT.–The report required under paragraph (1) shall include–

(A) the numbers and percentages of troops that have served or are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan since January 1, 2005, who have been prescribed antidepressants or drugs to treat anxiety, including psychotropic drugs such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs); and

(B) the policies and patient management practices of the Department of Defense with respect to the prescription of such drugs.

(b) National Institute of Mental Health Study.–

(1) STUDY.–The National Institute of Mental Health shall conduct a study on the potential relationship between the increased number of suicides and attempted suicides by members of the Armed Forces and the increased number of antidepressants, drugs to treat anxiety, other psychotropics, and other behavior modifying prescription medications being prescribed, including any combination or interactions of such prescriptions. The Department of Defense shall immediately make available to the National Institute of Mental Health all data necessary to complete the study.

(2) REPORT ON FINDINGS.–Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1).

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