FDA Panel on Antidepressants Sparks Controversy Under HHS Secretary RFK Jr.

The Food and Drug Administration recently convened a panel to discuss selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and pregnancy, drawing criticism from medical organizations. The panel, assembled under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s administration, featured speakers who largely questioned the safety and efficacy of antidepressants, with only one panelist supporting their use during pregnancy. Critics noted that the panel composition did not reflect the broader medical consensus that SSRIs are generally considered safe for pregnant women.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists responded with a statement affirming that robust evidence shows SSRIs are safe during pregnancy and that most do not increase birth defect risks. The organization expressed concern that claims made during the panel might discourage patients from seeking necessary treatment. Medical experts have established that untreated depression during pregnancy can lead to complications including preterm birth, preeclampsia, and low birth weight.

The panel reflects broader health policy directions under Secretary Kennedy, who has previously expressed skepticism about antidepressant medications. Kennedy has made public statements questioning SSRIs, including claims about connections between these medications and school shootings, and has suggested they are more difficult to discontinue than heroin. The FDA panel is viewed by some observers as an indicator of potential future policy directions regarding psychiatric medications.

Panelists included figures who have built public platforms questioning conventional psychiatric practices, including podcast hosts and authors who promote alternative approaches to mental health. Several panelists argued that depression should not be treated as a medical condition but rather as an emotional experience that individuals should manage through lifestyle changes. The panel occurred against a backdrop of reduced funding for the National Institutes of Health under the Trump administration, which has reportedly affected research initiatives on SSRIs in pregnancy.