FDA Petition Comments Submitted
Ray Nimmo, March 7, 2010
Re: Citizen Petition to the FDA Requesting Amendments to Benzodiazepine Labeling, Emily Robin, et al. Posted March 1, 2001 · More Details · Download PDF · Submit a Comment. (International comments welcome),
My submitted comments:
Benzodiazepines are probably the most addictive drugs ever created and the legions of enthusiastic doctors who prescribe these drugs by the ton have created the world's largest drug addiction problem - an iatrogenic epidemic on a global scale. Despite authoritative guidelines and the publication of hundreds of medical papers warning of the dangers of this class of drugs very little has changed doctors' prescribing habits in the 50 years since they were first introduced. The medical profession has consistently proved itself to be woefully inadequate in both supporting people addicted to and attempting to withdraw from benzodiazepine tranquillisers and in accepting responsibility for prescriber negligence.
The medical community and government agencies must recognise that long-term iatrogenic addiction to / therapeutic use of and withdrawal from benzodiazepines may result in chronic and sometimes permanent injury.
Successive UK Governments have consistently failed to address the benzodiazepine issue, preferring instead to sweep it (and the victims) under the carpet. A public inquiry into the benzodiazepine scandal is long overdue. It remains to be seen whether the FDA in the US has the mettle to address the benzodiazepine issue and acknowledge the millions of people who have been maimed, degraded and impoverished by this class of drugs and those who still freely peddle them.
Ray Nimmo
March 7, 2010
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