Nation IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Sleeping Pill Data Allegedly Withheld

Critics contend the drug company that makes the sleeping pill Halcion concealed data showing the drug caused significant numbers of serious psychiatric side effects, a newspaper reported. The critics, who included drug and psychiatric experts, said the pill was more dangerous than other sleeping pills and was more likely to cause symptoms like amnesia, paranoia, depressions and hallucinations, the New York Times reported. The data was concealed from the Food and Drug Administration by the Upjohn Co., the newspaper said. The assertions prompted the FDA to begin an investigation of the manufacturer.