ON
← Back to feed
Opinion: The FDA removed the red tape around one of the best drugs for children with schizophrenia. But the fear remains
United States🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/4/2026

Opinion: The FDA removed the red tape around one of the best drugs for children with schizophrenia. But the fear remains

On February 24, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the mandatory monitoring program for clozapine, a powerful antipsychotic medication used to treat severe cases of schizophrenia, particularly in children. The program required frequent blood tests to monitor white cell counts, which were intended to detect a rare but serious side effect called neutropenia. While the removal of these restrictions is seen as a positive development by mental health professionals, the article highlights ongoing concerns about the underuse of clozapine despite its effectiveness. Clozapine is noted as the only FDA-approved treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and has been shown to reduce suicide attempts and lower mortality rates compared to alternative medications. However, less than 4% of people with schizophrenia in the U.S. receive it, partly due to the burdensome monitoring requirements and lingering fears among healthcare providers about its risks. Advocacy efforts, including from parents, may have contributed to the FDA's decision, but the article argues that fear and misinformation continue to limit access to a potentially life-saving treatment.

President Joe Biden’s administration announced new federal funding aimed at advancing research into psychedelic therapies such as psilocybin, offering potential relief for millions of Americans struggling with treatment-resistant depression. The initiative includes a $50 million investment to accelerate clinical studies and regulatory approval processes, marking a shift in how the government views mental health care options. The decision follows growing interest in psychedelics as therapeutic tools, driven by preliminary findings suggesting they may offer profound psychological benefits. While the focus on psychedelics highlights emerging possibilities, another recent development underscores the ongoing challenges in treating severe psychiatric conditions. On February 24, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eliminated a decades-old monitoring program for clozapine, a powerful antipsychotic used primarily for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This change removes a major bureaucratic hurdle for clinicians seeking to prescribe the drug, which has long been considered a last-resort option for some of the most severely ill patients. Clozapine is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for individuals with schizophrenia who do not respond to other medications. It is the only drug approved specifically for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and has been linked to reduced suicide attempts and lower mortality rates compared to alternative treatments. Despite its efficacy, clozapine remains underutilized in the U.S., with only about 4% of people with schizophrenia receiving it, despite estimates suggesting up to a third might benefit. The FDA’s removal of the mandatory registry system, which required frequent blood tests to monitor for potentially dangerous side effects, was influenced by advocacy efforts, including those led by families of affected individuals. However, lingering fears among healthcare providers continue to limit its use, particularly in pediatric cases where neutropenia, a condition affecting white blood cell counts, is more common. Some clinicians avoid clozapine due to concerns over its risks, even though the drug has demonstrated significant benefits in restoring function and quality of life for certain patients. Clinicians who have prescribed clozapine report that while initial apprehension is common, the drug becomes easier to manage once its benefits are realized. Advocates argue that clozapine should be treated similarly to chemotherapy in pediatrics, recognized as a necessary intervention despite its risks.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (6)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

2 reports

The Hill logoThe HillIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 709/1/2026
New reasons not to be depressed about depression

The Trump administration has allocated $50 million in federal funds to accelerate research on psychedelic treatments such as psilocybin for addressing treatment-resistant depression among U.S. adults. This initiative aims to explore alternative therapies for mental health conditions that do not respond to conventional treatments. The decision reflects growing interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, which have shown promise in clinical trials. The funding is intended to support further scientific investigation and development of these novel approaches to mental healthcare.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on a specific government action, funding allocation for research, without overtly favoring any political perspective. It does not include biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorial commentary that would indicate a clear ideological lean.

Why factuality (85): The article reports that President Trump's administration allocated $50 million in federal funding for research into psychedelic treatments for depression. This aligns with public records of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other reputable sources indicating increased federal inves

Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'new reasons not to be depressed about depression,' which may be seen as somewhat sensationalist. It presents the funding initiative as a positive development but does not explore potential controversies or criticisms surrounding psychedelic rese

STAT News logoSTAT NewsIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 659/4/2026
Opinion: The FDA removed the red tape around one of the best drugs for children with schizophrenia. But the fear remains

On February 24, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the mandatory monitoring program for clozapine, a powerful antipsychotic medication used to treat severe cases of schizophrenia, particularly in children. The program required frequent blood tests to monitor white cell counts, which were intended to detect a rare but serious side effect called neutropenia. While the removal of these restrictions is seen as a positive development by mental health professionals, the article highlights ongoing concerns about the underuse of clozapine despite its effectiveness. Clozapine is noted as the only FDA-approved treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and has been shown to reduce suicide attempts and lower mortality rates compared to alternative medications. However, less than 4% of people with schizophrenia in the U.S. receive it, partly due to the burdensome monitoring requirements and lingering fears among healthcare providers about its risks. Advocacy efforts, including from parents, may have contributed to the FDA's decision, but the article argues that fear and misinformation continue to limit access to a potentially life-saving treatment.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the removal of clozapine monitoring requirements as a positive step toward improving patient access to an effective treatment, emphasizing the benefits of clozapine while highlighting systemic barriers such as bureaucratic hurdles and professional reluctance. The tone suggests a '

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that the FDA removed the REMS program for clozapine and that prescribers should still monitor ANC levels. It references the FDA's decision and aligns with the primary source document. However, it adds opinion about clozapine's effectiveness and underuse, which goes bey

Why objectivity (65): The article presents a strongly positive view of clozapine, emphasizing its benefits and underuse, which introduces a subjective tone. While it acknowledges the FDA's decision, it frames it as 'welcome news' and expresses personal professional experience, which leans toward advocacy rather than neut

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories