Taken-As-Prescribed Support Services

These drugs cripple millions, who take them as prescribed, or LESS than prescribed. The do severe damage and support for sufferers is imperative and will save lives.

This is needed

I beleive this is a much needed service

A crucial service for thousands, if not millions, of sufferers.

I suffer from benzo withdrawal I'm missing out on my life 57 years old too old to deal with this, I don't have anyone but my dog

These support services are needed!

Serious issue

Signing on behalf of my dead 14yr old child Jake, who shot himself dead 46 days after starting Prozac prescribed off label without informed consent

This is a crisis. 17 years polydrugged on psych meds, off all 3 years now. I did it on my own and am symptom free. My life was destroyed bc of psych drugs. Now, at 63 i have little hope of building a secure future. I do not want this to happen to anyone else.

I have worked on/off in drug/alcohol rehab field for 20 yrs. The petition mentions taking a harm reduction approach which I fully support. I would like to state that in my individual case of dependence then followed by severe and acute withdrawal effects the GP in question was breaking all principles of the drug policy referred to as 'Harm Reduction' All principles of safe drug use were being breached by GP so it should not be of a surprise that huge harm was dome to the patient. An investigation into my case by a government body admitted the following to myself; GP was inexperienced in his use of venlafaxine, GP was not receiving a level of support and supervision appropriate to his experience, GP was unaware that risks associated with venlafaxine greatly increase at doses over 150mg(I was on 225mg), an urgent referral made to psychiatry at point in time when venlafaxine was prescribed was inappropriate as there was no clear crisis in my life, GP did not realise the symptoms that I started to present with 6 months prior to myself cold turkeying off venlafaxine in desperation due to GP's refusal to admit the drug had turned nasty on me meant that he should consider immediate withdrawal of venlafaxine. Also admitted, 'the fact that GP was treating you for depression whilst sick lines said 'work related stress' does call into question GP's competence in this area. Report also told me that 'GP now considers himself to be a far more competent practitioner as a result of this case, very good, where is my compensation cheque? I didn't get one. I'm of the view given what was admitted to myself from this investigation that the prescribing GP was abusing drugs.

6 years ago Featured

Our physicians need to be as informed as our pharmacists and in turn need to inform patients before prescribing regarding end treatment for withdrawal. This is a very serious and urgent problem needing radically improved physician training.

I am fighting withdrawals from ssri’s that I haven’t even taken that long. Fighting for months. Prescribers should keep in mind these drugs won’t work for everyone and that some more us have to stop them right away and aren’t able to taper off. I’ve gained head and nerve problems from these meds and I couldn’t taper for the severity of the pain. More education please.

I have been harmed by a benzo, antidepressant

take responsibility for your criminal torture of innocent people big pHarma!!! do the decent thing!!!

Prescription drugs kill far too many people it needs to stop.

I've personnally nearly died feeling like I'd been left for dead whilst reducing medication.

I'm for the USA

Benzodiazepines ruined my life

Antidepressant withdrawal affects millions of people, but doctors are ill-equipped to help patients needing to end treatment. This is a serious medical problem in the UK and the US and it needs urgent attention and improved training. That's why I support this emphasis on establishing best practices. — Christopher Lane, Northwestern University, Chicago

I'm signing this because my oldest friend's life has been devastated by the unmanaged withdrawal from prescribed drugs.