RFK Jr. targets antidepressants with debunked heroin comparison, prompting deprescribing push
TL;DR
At a MAHA event, RFK Jr. announced steps to curb SSRI prescribing, repeating debunked claims that antidepressants are as addictive as heroin. Experts say the comparison is unfounded and emphasize careful, evidence-based deprescribing. The plan includes clinician training, a Dear Colleague letter, and CMS guidance with a new billing code to help taper patients off meds, but medical groups warn against framing mental-health care as overmedicalization and cite access issues.
- RFK Jr. plans to curb antidepressants, which he falsely compares to heroin Ars Technica
- Kennedy Starts a Push to Help Americans Quit Antidepressants The New York Times
- RFK Jr. launches plan to curb ‘overprescribing’ of psychiatric drugs CNN
- US to take steps to curb antidepressant prescribing, RFK Jr says The Guardian
- HHS Launches MAHA Action Plan to Curb Psychiatric Overprescribing HHS.gov
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