Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 September 2003. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 8 September 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of children prescribed methylphenidate for severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been regularly monitored to assess improvement in the last year. - Inc list.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children prescribed methylphenidate for severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been regularly monitored to assess improvement in the last year. [127096] Dr. Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally. In 2000 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence looked at the use of methylphenidate in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Among other recommendations it concluded that: Methylphenidate should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for children with a diagnosis of severe ADHD; Children on drug therapy should receive regular monitoring; Methylphenidate should be discontinued if improvement of symptoms is not observed after appropriate dose adjustment over one month; and Treatment should be initiated by specialists but general practitioners may be involved in continued prescribing and monitoring under shared care arrangements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 127096; 410 c218-9W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Children Drugs ADHD Medical treatments Young people Side effects Methylphenidate
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk