Prescriptions for the psychiatric drug Ritalin, often used to treat hyperactive children, have jumped 16 per cent in the past year, according to the Government's drug-buying agency.
Pharmac has released figures showing that 49,239 prescriptions for Ritalin, used to control attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, were issued last year.
The Ministry of Health's chief youth adviser, Dr Pat Tuohy, said no figures were available to show how many children took Ritalin or how many of the prescriptions were for newly diagnosed patients.
He said there could be a number of reasons for the increase, ranging from more children being diagnosed with the disorder to the fact that people were now taking the drug long-term.
Dr Tuohy is coordinating an advisory group that is drafting a set of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of the disorder, following controversy about the prescribing of Ritalin and its use as a recreational drug.
Ritalin has become popular with users of illicit drugs because of its similarities to methamphetamine (speed).
The guidelines, which are expected to be released next month, will look at the causes of under and over-prescribing of Ritalin as well as other solutions to the disorder, such as behaviour management and dietary restrictions.
An Auckland University senior lecturer in child and adolescent psychiatry, Josephine Stanton, said she believed Ritalin prescription rates were still very low compared to those overseas.
There would be some children taking it who probably should not be.
"But I suspect it's more often a case of the opposite - a case of children not getting access to the services or sometimes the medication they need."
The chairman of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs, Ralph Wiles, said he hoped to start up a group of doctors interested in the disorder to research its impact and find ways to provide a better service for patients.
It was always difficult to find effective ways of making sure the appropriate medication was given to the right people, he said.
"There are some people who may see Ritalin as a panacea for everything. All of us like to think swallowing a tablet can fix everything. But it is much more complex than that.
"Some kids have a true hyperactive state and Ritalin can be used to help them lead a very normal life. But for others, the prime reason for their misbehaviour may be other factors, including the way they are parented."
Dr Wiles said there was also concern that although Ritalin was considered safe it could, like any other drug, have unknown long-term side-effects.
GPs are required to consult a paediatrician and/or child psychiatrist when considering prescribing Ritalin and other stimulants for children.
Hyperactivity medicine in high demand
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