HEALTH

FDA Warns Pfizer About Promoting Zoloft: The Food and Drug Administration told the drug maker in an Aug. 1 letter to stop advertising unapproved uses of its blockbuster antidepressant drug. The agency ordered the New York-based company to withdraw certain brochures that it said made claims about the drug’s effects for unapproved uses. It also told the company to send letters to all doctors and medical journals with “corrective messages” about the promotional materials. The FDA cleared Zoloft for treating depression only, though doctors often prescribe it for other conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Companies can advertise only uses that are specifically approved by the FDA. Pfizer spokesman Brian McGlynn said the letter refers only to marketing issues. “Zoloft has been and continues to be safe and effective when used as indicated,” he said.