media interest can stimulate reporting through the Yellow Card - source MHRA

It is recognised that media interest can stimulate reporting through the Yellow Card


Scheme, and the publicity surrounding the safety of fluoxetine in 1990 caused an increase

in reporting of suicidal thoughts and self-harm associated with fluoxetine. There was

also some effect on reporting rates for other SSRIs. The reporting rate of suicidal

behaviour with fluoxetine then dropped between 1991 and 1993, and continued to fall

gradually until 1998. In the years 1995 to 1998, the reporting rates for fluoxetine,

paroxetine and sertraline were very similar, figure 7.2. This argues against this

phenomenon being a particular adverse reaction to fluoxetine. Reporting rates for

venlafaxine were comparatively higher between 1995 and 1998 (figure 7.3), although this

coincides with the first few years of marketing of this drug. After 1998, reporting rates

for venlafaxine fell to similar level as the other SSRIs.
 
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/pl-p/documents/drugsafetymessage/con019472.pdf