The Royal College of Psychiatrists Position Statement on antidepressants and depression was published on the 30th May 2019.
The very same day, the President, Registrar and CEO of the Royal College of Psychiatrists were speaking at this accredited Continuing Medical Education event for psychiatrists:
One of the “Invited Lectures” was given by Professor Allan Young who gave a talk titled “Myths about mood disorders”. For the Science Media Centre [where science meets the headlines], Professor Allan Young offered this expert opinion in relation to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Position Statement on antidepressants and depression: “Antidepressants, like all drugs, should be taken as per best advice. So called withdrawal reactions are usually mild to moderate and respond well to simple management. Anxiety about this should not obscure the real benefits of this type of treatment.”
This slide comes from the Lecture that Professor Allan Young gave on the 30th May 2019 to his fellow psychiatrists:
One psychiatrist shared this summary slide by Professor Allan Young with 11 other UK psychiatrists stating: “summary slide on-antidepressants absolutely brilliant presentation – facts beating the myths”.
Further slides and comments made about the lecture can be seen here (I have taken copies in case they may be removed).
One attendee recorded this: “2/3rds of Briton’s don’t receive treatment for Depression #FACT. Antidepressant discontinuation reactions are preventable and treatable #FACT. So says Prof Young.”
Another attendee shared that Professor Allan Young had stated “that withdrawal reactions can be managed and antidepressants can be withdrawn when needed in a safe way”
Another attendee recorded this: “Antidepressants are effective and well tolerated – Prof Young breaks the myths about mood disorders.”
The Editor-in-Chief of the BMJ, Fiona Godlee, recently said:
Professor Allan Young offers a POSITION STATEMENT of the present:
Professor Allan Young has given paid lectures and advisory boards for the following companies with drugs used in affective and related disorders: Astrazeneca, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck, Sunovion, Servier, Livanova, Janssen, Allegan, Bionomics. Professor Allan Young is paid Consultant to Johnson & Johnson and paid Consultant to Livanova Professor Allan Young has received honoraria for attending advisory boards and presenting talks at meetings organised by LivaNova. Professor Allan Young is an Investigator in research for Astra Zeneca, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck, Wyeth, Janssen. Professor Allan Young is a member, and recent Past President of, The Royal College of Psychiatrists Psychopharmacology Committee. Professor Allan Young is President of the British Association for Psychopharmacology
The first “Fact” lacks the preliminary, very important word “sometimes” IMO.
Prof Young’s links with the pharmaceutical industry throw great doubt on his credibility, IMO.
In a world I frequented in a previous life, an expert’s duty was to the Court. (Fact).
“Hired guns” do not have a place in the UK, IMO.