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Increased prescribing trends of paediatric psychotropic medications

I C K Wong1, M L Murray, D Camilleri-Novak

  • 1Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research, The School of Pharmacy and the Institute of Child Health, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK. ian.wong@ulsop.ac.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Psychotropic medication prescriptions for children are rising globally. Between 2000 and 2002, seven of nine studied countries saw significant increases, with the UK experiencing the largest growth at 68%.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Global health trends

Background:

  • Childhood psychotropic medication use has notably increased.
  • Understanding international prescribing patterns is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze psychotropic prescribing trends in children across nine countries.
  • To compare trends between 2000 and 2002.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized IMS MIDAS Prescribing Insights data.
  • Examined pediatric psychotropic prescription data.
  • Analyzed trends from 2000 to 2002.

Main Results:

  • Significant upward trends in psychotropic prescribing were observed in seven out of nine countries.
  • The United Kingdom exhibited the most substantial increase, at 68%.
  • Prescribing data from 2000-2002 revealed a widespread rise.

Conclusions:

  • Global psychotropic prescribing for pediatric populations shows an increasing trend.
  • The UK experienced a particularly sharp rise in pediatric psychotropic prescriptions during the study period.

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