§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people(a) under 11 and (b) over 11 have been prescribed Ritalin by a health authority in each of the last five years.[145815]
§ Dr. LadymanInformation is not available in the form requested. However the figures in the table following show the total number of prescription items of methylphenidate hydrochloride dispensed in the community in England in each of the last five years. The majority of prescription items of methylphenidate hydrochloride are for the brand Ritalin
Number of prescription items of methylphenidate hydrochloride dispensed in the community in England—1998 to 2002 Thousand Total 1998 126.6 1999 158.0 2000 186.2 2001 208.5 2002 254.0 Source:
Prescription Cost Analysis data from the Prescription Pricing Authority
In 2002, around 91 per cent. of the 254,000 prescription items were dispensed in the community to children (children under 16 and young people aged 16 to 18 in full time education). An estimated 1 per cent. of the items were dispensed to people aged 60 and over with the remainder being dispensed to other adults. These proportions have been similar in recent years.
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the long-term effects of Ritalin.[145816]
§ Dr. LadymanRitalin is indicated as a part of a comprehensive treatment programme for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children over six years of age where remedial measures alone prove insufficient. In October 2000 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published an appraisal of the use of the drug methylphenidate (main brand name Ritalin) in the treatment of childhood ADHD and issued clinical guidelines for its use, including the need for regular monitoring of children receiving this therapy. NICE recommended long-term follow-up of adverse effects and the potential for misuse of the drug in assessing long-term benefits and health gain into adulthood
As with all medicines, the safety of methylphenidate is continually monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the independent advisory body the Committee on the Safety of Medicines. Comprehensive information on the use of methylphenidate, including possible side effects, contraindications and precautions is contained in the summary of product characteristics produced by the manufacturer and approved by the licensing authority.