Report acknowledges adverse effects of drugs

WE, as a family, have endured long-term suffering because of the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs.

We are delighted that at last the joint committee on health and children has launched its first report on the adverse side-effects of pharmaceuticals. We congratulate Nuria O’Mahony and Dr Orla O’Donovan, without whose hard work and commitment this report would not have seen the light of day.

It was good that psychiatric medicines got special attention and a number of important points were made. For example, their use in therapy represents unwarranted medical intervention in what are often emotional difficulties within the normal range.