No anti-depressant research ‘since the post war years’

ANTI-depressant research and development is at a standstill since the post-war years due to over-regulation and the pharmaceutical industry’s fear of risk-taking, according to a top psychiatrist.

Improvements in the effectiveness of anti-depressants have not been made since the 1950s when they were first brought into use. Then and now, most anti depressants only work on 70% of people.

Speaking at the Irish Psychiatric Association (IPA) annual general meeting, Professor Ted Dinan said that research needed to be carried out so more people could have relief from depression.