JOURNAL ABSTRACTS - THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF THE USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS -" NOT ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THESE DRUGS FOR CHILDREN." + COMMUNITY PAEDIATRICIANS CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASE IN USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS IN THE U.K. DESPITE ADMITTING LACK OF TRAINING IN PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS

The epidemiology of psychotropic drug use in children and adolescents

2005, Vol. 17, No. 3 , Pages 181-188 (doi:10.1080/09540260500093768)

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M. Bonati and A. Clavenna
Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, ‘Mario Negri’ Pharmacological Research Institute, Milan, Italy



Despite the scarcity of evidence on the safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs in the paediatric population, especially in the long-term, several epidemiological studies have reported an increase in their prescription rates. This increase is especially evident for stimulants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. An analysis of the epidemiological data suggests that the risk of inappropriate use or abuse of these drugs is high. In such a context, not only is additional, independent and transparent research necessary, but also children with mental disorders (and their parents) must be guaranteed appropriate care.



Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09540260500093768

Psychotropic prescribing practices of paediatricians in the UK

    F McNicholas,†

Article first published online: 7 JUL 2008

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2214.2001.00231.x

Issue
Child: Care, Health and Development


Volume 27, Issue 6, pages 497–508, November 2001

   
Abstract

Objective 
This study examines the prescribing practices and attitudes to psychotropic medication by paediatricians in the UK.

Design 
Questionnaires were sent to 100 randomly chosen paediatricians in the UK to assess their prescribing practices of psychotropic medication in children.

Results 
Paediatricians see and treat many children with a wide variety of psychotropic medications on a regular basis. However, few of them feel competent, and most requested regular psychopharmacology seminars.

Conclusions 
In the US, primary care physicians and paediatricians are recognized as primarily responsible for the continuing increase in psychotropic prescriptions in children. This study shows that, in the UK, paediatricians also contribute to such prescribing and need to be taken into account when estimating the prevalence and appropriateness of such medication use in children.



AND THE SITUATION HAS DETERIORATED EXPONENTIALLY   SINCE THEN.