According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 91 million adults lived in areas of the country where psychiatrist specialists are short in supply, making obtaining antipsychotics more difficult to obtain. Because of this difficulty, medical professionals may prescribe medications that would not normally be used.

These medications, especially antipsychotics, can be especially dangerous to patients that are sensitive to drug reactions. A departmental report to Congress was made in 2013, which stated 55 percent of America’s 3,100 counties have no licensed or practicing psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers due to budget cuts and the overall lack of medical professionals.

This shortage is expected to worsen according to most medical and legal experts. As the new federal healthcare law goes into effect, more and more people will be going after these limited medical resources. This means that an increasing number of patients will be prescribed medications that are either not suitable for their conditions, or are not the first recommendation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Between 2005 and 2010, the population of the United States grew by 4.7 percent, but the number of psychiatrists dropped slightly from 38,578 to 38,289, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Additionally, most psychiatrists retire after the age of 55 and often only take patients who can afford to pay out of pocket because in most cases, insurance companies do not fully cover the cost of medication.

Because of the limited options, many medical practitioners are resorting to prescribing second or third choice treatment medications to treat patients’ mental conditions. This leads to unnecessary exposure and may put sensitive patients at risk from certain medications.

Drugs Like Lamictal Linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Lamictal is a popular antipsychotic medication that is used to treat different mood disorders. It can be prescribed to adult and pediatric patients, and is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Despite the drug’s popularity, it has garnered mass criticism for reported incidents of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). SJS is an allergic skin reaction that typically occurs after the first two weeks of starting the medication.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extreme, allergic skin reaction that is triggered specifically by medicine. It is characterized by red or purplish rashes that appear on the surface area of the skin, which can cover up to 30 percent of the body. Its latent form, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), features the same side effects, but more extreme and with the rashes covering up to 90 percent of the body. In the most extreme cases it causes multiple-organ failure and death. Permanent scarring and loss of eyesight are common side effects of SJS and TEN.

Patients across the country are suing GlaxoSmithKline and sometimes the medical facilities that prescribe Lamictal for the side effects the patients developed.