Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Monday, 10 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: 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.

Answer: 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.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 348 c462-3W; 118891
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Children Drugs Prescription drugs Young people Methylphenidate Fluoxetine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk