Kim Witczak’s FDA Testimony

Since her husband Tim "Woody" Witczak committed suicide shortly after starting Zoloft, Kim Witczak has become totally committed to the cause of exposing the dangers of antidepressants.

After the shock of her life, Kim decided to look deeper into the death of Woody, being that it was so out of character for him. After months of research, Kim uncovered a startling conclusion. She, among many others, believes the cause of Woody’s death was the Zoloft he was prescribed only five weeks prior for insomnia.

Because Kim believes antidepressants can cause suicide in people of all ages, Kim testified at the joint meeting of the Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee and the Pediatric Drugs Advisory Committee’s public hearing held on September 13-14, 2004 regarding the risk of suicide in children and adolescents taking antidepressants.

It was after this hearing that the FDA recommended that antidepressants include a "black box" warning that antidepressants not only cause some minors to become suicidal, but have also failed to demonstrate that they effectively relieve depression. It was also after this hearing that the FDA finally conceded that an investigation of the suicide risk in adults would be conducted as well. Kim also testified at the advisory hearing resulting from this decision, held in December 2006.

Baum Hedlund client, Kim Witczak, has testified before
the FD, U.S. Congress and the Minnesota Legislature
about the dangers of antidepressants.

As a very dedicated victims’ advocate, Kim has traveled to Washington, D.C. more than 20 times to advocate for antidepressant warnings as well as FDA reform. In addition to testifying at FDA hearings on antidepressants and direct-to-consumer advertising, Kim has also testified before the United States Congress and Minnesota legislature. She was able to get confidential internal FDA and drug company documents out from under court ordered seal and presented these documents and others to members of Congress, senior FDA officials and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Kim’s story has been featured in a number of news reports including the November 2005 issue of Fortune Magazine and in an I-Team feature on WCCO TV in Minneapolis. She has also been on NPR regarding drug advertising.

Kim has also created a website in honor of her husband’s memory at www.woodymatters.com. Kim has made this web site a very helpful resource in raising awareness of the risks of antidepressants.

 

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