HC Deb 18 April 2000 vol 348 cc462-3W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of children aged(a) under 10 and (b) under 16 years who have been prescribed (i) Ritalin and (ii) Prozac in the past 12 months. [118891]

Ms Stuart

Information on the number of children prescribed Ritalin and Prozac is not collected. Ritalin should be used only in cases where there is a clear diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder following comprehensive assessment by a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders. Given some concern over the clinical evidence and current levels of prescribing, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is to consider Ritalin later this year and will issue authoritative advice on its use in routine practice.

Prozac is not licensed for use in children as the safety and efficacy has not been established. Doctors may prescribe medicines outside their licensed indications if they consider that this is in the patient's best interests.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to report on Ritalin; and if his Department has given evidence to its inquiry into Ritalin. [118921]

Ms Stuart

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a Special Health Authority independent of the Department of Health, is expected to disseminate its guidance on Ritalin to the NHS in October 2000. The Department has not submitted evidence to inform NICE's appraisal, although in accordance with usual practice it has commissioned an independent systematic review of the research evidence on behalf of NICE. The Department of Health will be consulted along with other stakeholders on NICE's draft recommendations.

Forward to