Watch CBS News

Schumer Calls On FDA To Change Prescription Drug Labels In Effort To Warn Pregnant Women

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - Sen. Charles Schumer is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to change prescription drug labels to clearly warn pregnant women of the dangers to their unborn babies.

Schumer was joined by New York doctors on Sunday to call for a nationwide plan to combat the trend of babies being born addicted to prescription drugs or other opiates.

He said that the number of babies born addicted to painkillers and other opiates has nearly tripled in the past decade, with prescription drugs fueling the increase.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last month, approximately 3.4 of every 1,000 infants born in 2009 suffered from painkiller addiction.

Do you agree with Schumer that prescription drug labels need to be changed? Sound off with your thoughts and comments in the section below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.