Politics & Government
February 1, 2009 6:00 AM
A tragic story of off-label drugs
In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Food and Drug Administration finalized new guidelines that will make it easier to promote the kind of "off-label" drug uses that public health advocates and medical experts say could lead to deadly prescriptions for millions of Americans. Douglas Briggs, of Charlotte, North Carolina, killed himself after taking Neurontin, a drug approved for epilepsy to help ease his back pain but causes suicidal behavior. (Courtesy of the family/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
MCT
In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Food and Drug Administration finalized new guidelines that will make it easier to promote the kind of "off-label" drug uses that public health advocates and medical experts say could lead to deadly prescriptions for millions of Americans. Douglas Briggs, of Charlotte, North Carolina, killed himself after taking Neurontin, a drug approved for epilepsy to help ease his back pain but causes suicidal behavior. (Courtesy of the Family/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
MCT
In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Food and Drug Administration finalized new guidelines that will make it easier to promote the kind of "off-label" drug uses that public health advocates and medical experts say could lead to deadly prescriptions for millions of Americans. Douglas Briggs, of Charlotte, North Carolina, killed himself after taking Neurontin, a drug approved for epilepsy to help ease his back pain but causes suicidal behavior. (Courtesy of the family/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
MCT
In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Food and Drug Administration finalized new guidelines that will make it easier to promote the kind of "off-label" drug uses that public health advocates and medical experts say could lead to deadly prescriptions for millions of Americans. Robin Briggs, of Charlotte, North Carolina, holds photos of her husband, Douglas, who killed himself after taking Neurontin, a drug approved for epilepsy to help ease his back pain but causes suicidal behavior. (Diedra Laird/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
MCT
In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Food and Drug Administration finalized new guidelines that will make it easier to promote the kind of "off-label" drug uses that public health advocates and medical experts say could lead to deadly prescriptions for millions of Americans. Douglas Briggs, of Charlotte, North Carolina, shown in a photo with his sons Andy and Charlie, killed himself after taking Neurontin, a drug approved for epilepsy to help ease his back pain but causes suicidal behavior. (Courtesy of the family/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
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