FDA Drug Chief Aims to Hire Friend Pushing for Controversial SSRI Warnin

MEDPAGE TODAY ^ | March 4, 2026

[nickcarraway]

Proposed labeling change has become a priority for Tracy Beth Hoeg

The FDA's top drug regulator, Tracy Beth Hoeg, MD, PhD, is working to hire a researcher and friend who wants the agency to add new warnings to antidepressants about unproven pregnancy risks, the Associated Press has learned.

Adam Urato, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and critic of antidepressant safety, is pressing the FDA to add a boxed warning to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the drugs most commonly prescribed for depression. Urato's petition says the medications can cause pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and fetal brain abnormalities that may lead to autism and other disorders in children.

That proposed labeling change has become a top priority for Hoeg, who regularly consults with Urato and is working to bring him on as a full-time FDA employee, according to people familiar with the situation. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential FDA matters.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: antidepressants; fda; ssri

[ClearCase_guy]

That proposed labeling change has become a top priority for Hoeg, who regularly consults with Urato

Why on earth would it be controversial to hire him?

Seems like Big Pharma is scared. And can we get some statistics on how many violent crimes are committed by people on SSRIs?

[fruser1]

How about the warning for the desire for death-by-cop while shooting as many people as possible?

[jacknhoo]

Perfect.

[cyclotic]

If Big Pharma (tm) is against it, it’s a great idea that must be pursued with all haste.

[Deo et patriae]

They will probably use it as an abortion pill.