Sen. Forrest Dunbar may be convinced that psychedelics like MDMA (“Molly” or “ecstasy”) should be mainstreamed for psychiatric uses in Alaska, but a panel of experts advising the Food and Drug Administration is not so sure.
The FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted against approving the drug for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder.
The vote, 10-1, showed that the experts feel that the drug made by Lykos Therapeutics is not safe, and its possible benefits don’t outweigh its risks. On a vote of 9-2, the committee also said that MDMA is not effective for treating PTSD, according to the research.
The committee’s recommendation means that the FDA probably won’t approve the use of the drug, which was to be used in combination with “talk therapy.” A decision on the Lykos Therapeutics application is expected this summer.
“I’m not convinced at all that this drug is effective based on the data I saw,” commented Rajesh Narendran, a psychiatry professor at the University of Pittsburgh who is the committee’s chairman.
Democrat Dunbar, of Anchorage, and Democrat Rep. Jennie Armstrong, also of Anchorage, filed legislation this year to set up a psychedelic medicine task force in anticipation of the drug being approved.
Dunbar told the Legislature in his sponsor statement that approval of MDMA was imminent and that research shows it is effective:
“The FDA is currently reviewing MDMA for treatment of PTSD, with approval expected by the end of this year. Additionally, advanced trials show that psilocybin and ibogaine are effective at treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and TBI symptoms. Passing SB 166 is vital for Alaska to leverage these treatments in addressing mental health challenges. The task force represents a step towards pioneering mental health solutions. I urge your support for SB 166 to ensure that Alaska will be ready for the FDA’s imminent approval of psychedelic medicine,” Dunbar said in his sponsor statement.
Rep. Jamie Allard wrote on her Facebook page: “I voted NO on HB 228, Representative Armstrong and Senator Dunbars Psychedelic Drug Task Force Bill. I believe there are better ways to help our service men and women instead of us continuing to push for drug addiction or be used as guinea pigs. I will be requesting the Governor Mike Dunleavy VETO HB 228 setting up a task force, that’s clearly a waste of funds. We can and must do better in helping and supporting our fellow veterans. Seeing all the research prove that more drugs isn’t always the answer. I believe this bill was to use military members as a platform to legalize psychedelic drugs, in the state of Alaska and said so in my floor speech.”
