NationStates Jolt Archive

I have been on the depo provera birth control injection for about two years, with my last injection 9 months ago, and the negative side effects are just beginning to ease. I am interested in learning more about the drugs approval process, about what constitutes an unaccepatable side effect and so on. I am in the UK so would particularly appreciate any information relating to the UK, but would also like to understand licensing issues in other countries. I understand that this drug has a "black box" warning in the US - what does that mean?

Any information, opinions and random thoughts appreciated.

Edit: how much information are doctors required to disclose when presribing drugs? Is it reasonable to expect a GP to have in-depth knowledge of all the drugs available?