Interview with Dr. Diana Zuckerman on the Dangers of Anti-psychotic Drug Overuse in Nursing Homes (December 21, 2012)

Listen NowDuring this 30 minute interview Dr. Zuckerman discusses the long-standing and widespread overuse or misuse of anti-psychotics in medicating nursing home residents.  She identifies some of the more commonly known and used anti-psychotics, why their inappropriate usage poses serious dangers and consequences for patients and how they are being over-prescribed despite FDA "black box" warning lablels.  She notes too the similar  misuse in medicating children.  She offers a sobering perspective regarding efforts by the Congress, CMS and the FDA to curb excessive use.   Finally she makes suggestions on how family members can protect their nursing home resident relatives from being administered anti-psychotic medications.Since 1999 Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D., has been the President of the National Research Center for Women and Families, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and advocacy organization promoting adult and child health and safety.  After academic careers at Yale and Harvard, Dr. Zuckerman worked for many years as a Senate, House and Department of Health and Human Services staffer and as well serving as a senior policy advisor for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  Presently, Dr. Zuckerman is also a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics and serves on the board of directors for two nonprofit organizations: the Congressionally mandated Reagan-Udall Foundation; and, the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com