Stimulant Drugs being Prescribed to ADHD kids Despite Warning

January 25, 2011

Despite a warning by experts that such drugs should not be used so frequently,

stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin, are being prescribed to more than eight out of

10 Island children with Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD).

Recently, 529 cases of ADHD were diagnosed among Island children. According to

pediatric service at St 's Hospital, 446 of these cases received medication

against ADHD, which is a disorder characterized by behavioral symptoms like

hyperactivity and a lack of concentration.

But the actual figures could go higher than this, as estimated there were about

700 to 1,167 children on Island with ADHD out of whom 233 children could have

severe ADHD.

The Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) has a history of high prescribing

rate for Ritalin and similar drugs which grows to twice as compare to national

average in 2008.

According to figures released by the NHS Information Centre, there were 668

prescriptions for ADHD drugs between July and September this year.

Advisory body the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has

suggested that these kinds of drugs should only be prescribed as a second option

to children with moderate ADHD after the parenting care and behavioral treatment

does not prove as effective.

Recommended Posts