§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each primary care trust aged(a) 0 to 15 years, (b) 16 to 59 and (c) 60 and over have been prescribed Ritalin in each of the last five years. [123766]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonInformation is not available in the form requested. However the figures in the table 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—1998–2002 year Thousands 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.