






  
   2004N-0330 - Joint Meeting of the Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee and the Pediatric Advisory Committee

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  FDA Comment Number : 
  
  EC15
  


  
  
  


  
  Submitter : 
  
  Mr. Barry Bratt
  
  Date & Time: 
  
  08/30/2004 02:08:20
  


  
  Organization : 
  
  Mr. Barry Bratt
  


  
  Drug Industry
  

  
  Category : 
  

  
  Issue Areas/Comments 
  

  
  


  
  GENERAL
  

  
  


  
  GENERAL
  

  
  


  
   

August 23, 2004





To: Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee 

and Pediatric Advisory Committee



From: Barry Bratt, On behalf of my son, Benjamin Bratt



Re: The loss of my son





I lost my son, Benjamin Bratt on February 15, 1997 due to Paxil. 



Losing my only child has been more than I can endure. When a parent outlives a child, he lives with a sense of guilt and regret that his child did not experience a full life.  The pain is unbearable and seems to last forever - without any hope for relief - especially when the death is by suicide.

 

My son Ben committed suicide at the age of 13. He had many friends and was musically and artistically gifted.  Many people enjoyed and appreciated his quick wit and sense of humor. 

 

Ben had been an honor student until his teen years when---like many teens---his grades dropped, and his perspective changed. We assumed this was due to normal adolescent angst and peer pressure. We asked the school for help, saw a counselor and moved Ben to a new school for a fresh start. 

 

After a friend from the new school died, Ben became depressed about the situation---as were many of his friends. He was prescribed Paxil to help him through this difficult period. Nine days later, Ben hung himself. 

 

After a suicide, the survivors constantly question why it occurred and what could have stopped it.  We sought answers everywhere and struggled to get beyond our own guilt over what we could have done to prevent Ben's death. We blame ourselves for not recognizing his intentions; We live with that pain.  

I could no longer teach---a profession that I loved---as I couldn't cope with my loss. I was on disability for over two years.  Ben's mother

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  







  
   struggled just to make it through each day. 

 

Years after Ben's death, I saw a television program on the effects of anti-depressants on children. Suicide was mentioned. I was shocked to learn that anti-depressants were addictive and that numerous suicides could be directly related to these pills.  My son's suicide and self-mutilation--- while taking Paxil---can be attributed to these pills. They are not only harmful to children but also to adults.

 

The British government has banned anti-depressant prescription to children after their findings of this harmful connection.

 

The FDA---on the other hand---still has not come to the party, and more and  more children are dying needlessly.  It also appears that the pharmaceutical companies have been well aware of anti-depressants' negative effects on children and adults for over ten years. They have hidden their test results from the public and are literally killing people for profit. 

 

How many thousands of children and adults worldwide would be alive today if these test results had been made public? I cannot understand how a company can be so irresponsible with the public's well-being.

 

Ben died on February 14, 1997.  He would have had his 21st birthday this month.  If the manufacturers of Paxil had told the truth about the risks associated with its use, would I now be having a celebratory drink with my son? I definitely think so. 

 

This hearing should be a beacon in the darkness of ignorance of the dangers and catastrophic consequences anti-depressants are having all over the world. 

 

Sincerely, Barry Bratt



	struggled just to make it through each day. Years after Ben's death, I saw a television program on the effects of anti-depressants on children. Suicide was mentioned. I was shocked to learn that anti-depressants were addictive and that numerous suicides could be directly related to these pills. My son's suicide and self-mutilation--- while taking Paxil---can be attributed to these pills. They are not only harmful to children but also to adults. The British government has banned anti-depressant prescription to children after their findings of this harmful connection. The FDA---on the other hand---still has not come to the party, and more and more children are dying needlessly. It also appears that the pharmaceutical companies have been well aware of anti-depressants' negative effects on children and adults for over ten years. They have hidden their test results from the public and are literally killing people for profit. How many thousands of children and adults worldwide would be alive today if these test results had been made public? I cannot understand how a company can be so irresponsible with the public's well-being. Ben died on February 14, 1997. He would have had his 21st birthday this month. If the manufacturers of Paxil had told the truth about the risks associated with its use, would I now be having a celebratory drink with my son? I definitely think so. This hearing should be a beacon in the darkness of ignorance of the dangers and catastrophic consequences anti-depressants are having all over the world. Sincerely, Barry Bratt