Psychiatric Medication Spending Growth Slows, According to New Thomson Reuters Research

The national growth rate for psychiatric medication spending has declined significantly, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Psychiatric Medication Spending Growth Slows, According to New Thomson Reuters Research

Are we drugging our children at an alarming rate?

I’m blown away by a new paper in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (see abstract) on the increasing use of second-generation anti-psychotic drugs (see a list) in children.

Are we drugging our children at an alarming rate?

3 Million Kids on ADD/ADHD Drugs: Not a Long-Term Solution

Ritalin and ADD/ADHD have become so closely with each other that to mention the one is to imply the other. Indeed, at the end of last year, a mild panic arose over a shortage of drugs like Ritalin and Adderall. Three million children now take such medications, a 20-fold increase in the past 30 years. L. Alan Sroufe, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, says that the use of drugs in the name of helping children with attention issues is a case of “Ritalin gone wrong.” In a New York Times op-ed, Sroufe argues that, based on his 40 years of studying the development of “troubled children,” the drugs are not effective in the long-term. Our overuse of them is a sign of insufficiently understanding what ADD is and of not taking enough into account how experiences in early childhood can affect children’s development.

3 Million Kids on ADD/ADHD Drugs: Not a Long-Term Solution

Editorial, 1/27: Foster kids on psych drugs

Sen. Gwen Howard wants a task force to examine why more than one in five foster children in Nebraska is taking psychiatric medication.

Editorial, 1/27: Foster kids on psych drugs

Senate Watchdog Targets High-Prescribing Medicaid Docs

An influential U.S. senator is grilling officials in nearly three-dozen states, demanding to know how they are cracking down on physicians who prescribe massive amounts of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.

Senate Watchdog Targets High-Prescribing Medicaid Docs

NC now looking to scrutinize how Medicaid dispensed to children

In the grocery store, a child goes through the produce isle picking up items and biting into them. When mom tries to stop him, he takes a bite out of her. Meanwhile, the child has managed to get the attention of shoppers and workers alike.

NC now looking to scrutinize how Medicaid dispensed to children

U.S. to tell drugmakers to disclose payments to doctors

To head off medical conflicts of interest, the Obama administration is poised to require drug companies to disclose the payments they make to doctors for research, consulting, speaking, travel and entertainment.

U.S. to tell drugmakers to disclose payments to doctors