Legal Problems in Psychiatric Drug Prescription

Psychopharmacology is a relatively new treatment modality, and little legal precedent directly applicable to drug use in the office practice of psychotherapy exists. Because of growing concern among psychiatrists about legal risks in prescribing drugs, the author submitted a number of relevant questions to the Food and Drug Administration and a legal expert; the questions were also discussed at a law-drug conference at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. The conclusions reached are discussed in this paper.