Fri, Apr 02, 2010
Will Evaluate Conditions On A Case-By-Case Basis
The FAA announced Friday that it will consider the special
issuance of a medical certificate to pilots who are taking
medication for mild to moderate depression, conditions that now bar
them from all flying duties.
On a case-by-case basis beginning April 5, pilots who take one
of four antidepressant medications – Fluoxetine (Prozac),
Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), or Escitalopram (Lexapro)
– will be allowed to fly if they have been satisfactorily
treated on the medication for at least 12 months. The FAA will not
take civil enforcement action against pilots who take advantage of
a six-month opportunity to share any previously non-disclosed
diagnosis of depression or the use of these antidepressants.
“I’m encouraging pilots who are suffering from
depression or using antidepressants to report their medical
condition to the FAA,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
“We need to change the culture and remove the stigma
associated with depression. Pilots should be able to get the
medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their
duties.”
The FAA’s policy is consistent with recommendations from
the Aerospace Medical Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association, Air Line Pilots Association and the International
Civil Aviation Organization. The Civil Aviation Authority of
Australia, Transport Canada and the U.S Army already allow some
pilots to fly using antidepressant medications.
Psychiatrists and Aviation Medical Examiners who have
specialized training under the Human Intervention and Motivation
Study (HIMS) program will help the FAA evaluate and monitor pilots
under this new policy. The HIMS program was established 40 years
ago and has been highly effective for the assessment, treatment,
and medical certification of pilots who need help with alcohol and
drug issues.
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