Harvard Sued Following Suicide of Student Taking Prescribed Drugs with Known Suicide Risk

The father of a young man who committed suicide in 2007 filed a lawsuit against Harvard University on December 2, 2009, stating that the university’s health services prescribed his son multiple medications known to increase suicide risk.

Johnny Edwards was simultaneously prescribed Accutane, Adderall, Prozac and Wellbutrin by a doctor and a nurse employed by the college. The complaint states that several of the medications are linked to an increased suicide risk, while all four drugs may cause serious side effects.

“As a result of the acts of both commission and omission by all defendants, Johnny’s young life, full of unbridled promise, came to an abrupt and horrific end on Nov. 29, 2007,” said the father’s lawyer.

In response to the lawsuit, a Harvard spokesperson stated, “The care he received at Harvard University Health Services was thorough and appropriate and he was monitored closely by its physicians and allied health specialists. Similar complaints previously have been filed with the Board of Registration in Medicine, the Board of Registration in Nursing and the Board of Registration in Pharmacy, and in all three instances the complaints were dismissed upon review.”

The medications prescribed to Edwards were intended to treat acne (Accutane), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adderall), anxiety disorder (Prozac), and depression (Wellbutrin).

In June 2009, Roche Holding AG, the manufacturer of Accutane, announced it would remove the medication from the U.S. market, stating that the competition from generic versions of the drug prompted the decision. While on the market, the medication was controversial and associated with serious side effects including severe birth defects, depression and suicidal tendencies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a report in 2004 stating that antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin and Prozac may double the risk of suicidal thoughts and tendencies in children and teens.

Adderall XR also contains warnings related to psychological side effects.