A Syracuse, N.Y. jury has awarded a $1.5 million medical malpractice verdict to the family of a man who committed suicide. I was the medical expert for the family.

On the face of it, medication compliance makes sense. Patients should take their medications as instructed and families should ensure that they do. But is it that simple?

Many tragic acts of suicide and violence could be averted by reducing or stopping the use of anti-depressant drugs, and by greater professional and public awareness of the dangers associated with these drug.

The judge declared in his decision, "His basic normalcy now further confirms he no longer poses a risk of violence to anyone and that his mental deterioration and resulting violence would not have taken place without exposure to Prozac."