HHS tackles ‘overmedication’
By
Theresa Gaffney
May 6, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: HHS Addresses the Issue of Excessive Medication
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Overmedication, specifically regarding antidepressants Key Mechanisms Incentivizing tapering off SSRIs and strengthening informed consent Target Population Adults and children prescribed antidepressants Care Setting Community health centers and mental health services
Key Highlights
HHS plans to introduce billing guidance to reduce SSRI dependency Educational webinars on psychiatric medication side effects and deprescribing are planned A report on prescribing trends by SAMHSA is forthcoming with specific data points Over 13% of adults and 3.6% of children and teens in the U.S. reported using antidepressants Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Strengthen informed consent in prescribing medications Management
Incentivize providers to taper patients off SSRIs Monitoring & Follow-up
Conduct educational webinars on medication side effects and establish follow-up metrics Risks
Potential dependency on SSRIs and associated withdrawal symptoms Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults and children prescribed SSRIs
Increased awareness of changing mental health needs and prescribing trends
Clinical Best Practices
Implement tapering protocols for patients on SSRIs with specific guidelines Enhance patient education regarding medication risks and benefits, including detailed resources Related Resources & Content
