Drugging our kids on anti-depressants - Australia

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/drugging-our-kids-on-anti-depressants/story-e6freuy9-1226065161126

Drugging our kids on anti-depressants

Elissa Doherty and nne Betts

From:

The Daily

Telegraph

May 30,

2011 12:00AM

THE number of children aged six and under being prescribed

anti-depressants has soared by almost 50 per cent since the

federal government pledged to investigate the issue, new figures

show.

Federal health department data reveals prescribing rates of the

controversial drugs have risen from 852 in 2007-08 to 1264 in

2009-10.

But despite Health Minister Nicola Roxon ordering an

investigation three years ago, a Freedom of Information request

shows the government held just two meetings.

Five deaths have also been linked to anti-depressants in

children aged 10 to 19 since 2009, Therapeutic Goods

Administration figures show. In children aged nine and under, 89

adverse reactions were linked to anti-depressants over the same

period.

The figures show Zoloft and Prozac were among the most

prescribed in the youngest age group, as well as another used

for chronic bed-wetting.

Results: Anti-depressants

This poll is closed.

Do you think doctors should be

allowed to prescribe anti-depressants to children

under six?

Yes

5.33% (149 votes)

No

94.67% (2652 votes)

Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive Dr Joe Tucci

said he would have expected the government to act by now.

"I cannot think of a good reason why any six-year-old, or

younger, should be treated with antidepressants," he said. "I

think it's gone up because medication is being used to treat the

symptoms and not the cause."

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

said it was alarming any anti-depressants were being prescribed

for children and demanded answers.

"I would be very alarmed if these figures were true as there is

no indication for an anti-depressant medication given to any

child under the age of six," Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Faculty chair Dr Brock said.

"I have written to the government before asking if figures in

this age group are valid. The fact we are still seeing this kind

of data demands an answer."

Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Steve

Hambleton said doctors were concerned about prescribing

medication for young people but were having more success with

certain anti-depressants.

He had personally written scripts for two six-year-olds - and

they had benefited.

A Health Department spokeswoman said: "The management of a

patient's medical condition, including the prescription of

medicines, is a clinical decision between the clinician and

patient or carer, taking regard of the patient's circumstances."

Black Dog Institute director Professor Gordon said

investigation was needed.

[Guest guest]

Federal health department data reveals prescribing rates of the controversial drugs have risen from 852 in 2007-08 to 1264 in 2009-10.

Jim is that numbers of children or numbers of prescriptions i.e. typically 10/12 per year?

Further when speaking of children, young children on antidepressants what % are supposed to be depressed & what % are more likely to be getting (wrongly in my opinion) trycyclisc for bed wetting?

>> http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/drugging-our-kids-on-anti-depressants/story-e6freuy9-1226065161126> > > Drugging our kids on anti-depressants> > * Elissa Doherty and nne Betts> * From: The Daily Telegraph <http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au>> * May 30, 2011 12:00AM> > *THE number of children aged six and under being prescribed > anti-depressants has soared by almost 50 per cent since the federal > government pledged to investigate the issue, new figures show. *> > Federal health department data reveals prescribing rates of the > controversial drugs have risen from 852 in 2007-08 to 1264 in 2009-10.> > But despite Health Minister Nicola Roxon ordering an investigation three > years ago, a Freedom of Information request shows the government held > just two meetings.> > Five deaths have also been linked to anti-depressants in children aged > 10 to 19 since 2009, Therapeutic Goods Administration figures show. In > children aged nine and under, 89 adverse reactions were linked to > anti-depressants over the same period.> > The figures show Zoloft and Prozac were among the most prescribed in the > youngest age group, as well as another used for chronic bed-wetting.> > > Results: Anti-depressants> > This poll is closed.> > > Do you think doctors should be allowed to prescribe> anti-depressants to children under six?> > * *Yes * 5.33% (149 votes)> * *No * 94.67% (2652 votes)> > > Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive Dr Joe Tucci said he > would have expected the government to act by now.> > "I cannot think of a good reason why any six-year-old, or younger, > should be treated with antidepressants," he said. "I think it's gone up > because medication is being used to treat the symptoms and not the cause."> > The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said it > was alarming any anti-depressants were being prescribed for children and > demanded answers.> > "I would be very alarmed if these figures were true as there is no > indication for an anti-depressant medication given to any child under > the age of six," Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Faculty chair Dr > Brock said.> > "I have written to the government before asking if figures in this age > group are valid. The fact we are still seeing this kind of data demands > an answer."> > Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Steve Hambleton said > doctors were concerned about prescribing medication for young people but > were having more success with certain anti-depressants.> > He had personally written scripts for two six-year-olds - and they had > benefited.> > A Health Department spokeswoman said: "The management of a patient's > medical condition, including the prescription of medicines, is a > clinical decision between the clinician and patient or carer, taking > regard of the patient's circumstances."> > Black Dog Institute director Professor Gordon said investigation > was needed.>