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FAA medical change
Not RV related per se but it's a huge earthquake in the pilot community.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Some pilots taking medication for mild or moderate depression will be able to fly as soon as next week under a new government rule aimed partly at getting those taking antidepressants to disclose the treatment. The new policy, which takes effect Monday, reverses a ban on flying for pilots taking medications like Prozac. Federal Aviation Administration officials said the old rule was based on outdated versions of antidepressants that could cause drowsiness and other side effects. The medications have been updated and do not pose that risk with everyone, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt told reporters Friday. But there was a side effect to the policy that has now been abrogated, Babbitt said. That rule had resulted in pilots taking those medications to keep their depression and treatment a secret, under the threat of losing their certification to fly. "Our concern is that they haven't necessarily been candid," Babbitt said. "We need to change the culture and remove the stigma associated with depression," Babbitt said. "Pilots should be able to get the medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their duties." Under the new policy, pilots who take one of four antidepressants - Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa or Lexapro or their generic equivalents - will be allowed to fly if they have been successfully treated by those medications for a year without side effects that could pose a safety hazard in the cockpit. The antidepressants are classified as SSRIs, which help regulate mood. In addition, the FAA will grant a sort of amnesty for pilots who have kept their treatment for depression a secret. The agency will not take civil enforcement action against pilots who, within six months, disclose their diagnoses of depression and treatment. FAA officials said they changed the policy in part to encourage disclosure, but also because their own research by a team of psychiatrists over the past two years showed that the antidepressants have advanced to the point where side effects don't affect everyone and often subside in time. The risk of safety hazard, therefore, has subsided, the agency concluded. Several labor unions representing aircraft owners, pilots and crews had urged the government to lift the ban. The Army, the Civil Aviation Authority of Australia and Transport Canada already allow some pilots to fly who are using antidepressant medications. A team of psychiatrists and aviation medical examiners will help the agency monitor pilots under the new policy under a program established 40 years ago to assess and treat pilots suffering from alcohol and drug abuse issues, the FAA said. |
I noticed this, too, Bob, and was a little surprised.
Although it doesn't affect me, I know of some folks who used to fly and now take some of these medications. One source I read this morning indicated each pilot's situation would be evaluated on a case by case basis, so I don't quite understand how some folks can expect to fly next week, unless perhaps the FAA has already been evaluating them. Interesting stuff, and I hope it helps a lot of GA pilots who want to get back in the air again. |
WOW - Faa approves antidepressants.
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Unfortunately, if the FAA requires a one-year evaluation, profesional pilots likely will still hide their use of medication. I don't know about other folks, but I couldn't afford to take a year off work...
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FAA lifts ban on anti-depression meds
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According to my reading of the articles, if you have been taking the anti-depressants without disclosure, you can use that time to count for the one year. You have six months to disclose past use without enforcement. Thus is seems like you can disclose and provide documentation of one year of successful treatment, thereby avoiding an enforcement and getting a valid medical. Seems like a win-win situation for those who have been taking anti-depressants without telling the FAA.
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ADD/ADHD?
Wonder if this is the first step to extending medicals to folks taking medications for ADD and ADHD as well. I know this came up in a couple threads lately and there are numerous websites out there. Least this is a good sign the FAA is listening and not still using medical information circa 1960's.
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It's interesting that this only covered 4 meds, but not one of the most widely used ones (welbutrin), which has been used for over 10 years for acute depression (e.g., postpartum depression), smoking cessation and ADHD in addition to chronic depression. TODR |
It's the four meds and their generic equivalents.
I don't think anybody would have to take a year off. I don't believe the change is showing effective treeatment for a year starting now. I think one could easily go back over the last year. Of course, for many pilots, that would require admitting you've been lying. |
I believe there is a 6 month amnesty period for pilots who have been using these meds and "forgetting" to report them. :eek: ;)
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We are the government.........
and we are here to help you.
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A step in the right direction, but I wouldn't expect a stampede. |
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