ADHD meds use rockets in Whanganui

Ritalin (left) and Rubifen pills - the most common two medications prescribed for ADHD. Photo/file

Prescriptions of ADHD medication in Whanganui increased more than 50 per cent in the last three years, baffling the district health board's head paediatrician.

New figures from government drug buying agency Pharmac showed a 52 per cent increase in prescription numbers of ADHD medication in Whanganui, rising from 2589 to 3947 between 2013 and 2016.

Financial half year figures for 2017 indicated the prescription number would likely climb higher, with 2248 prescriptions filled after six months, on track for a shade under 4500 at year's end.

This would be a 74 per cent increase on 2013's numbers.

The neurodevelopmental Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterised by attention difficulties and behaviour troubles, among other symptoms, and is mostly found in children and adolescents.

Clinical director of paediatrics at Whanganui Hospital David Montgomery said he could not conceive why figures would have increased to this level, even questioning their accuracy.

"I would be very, very surprised if our prescribing... has actually gone up more than 50 per cent. That really doesn't sound at all likely," he said.

"I think it's probably an error."

The most common brand name ADHD drugs are Ritalin, Rubifen and Concerta, all containing the active ingredient methylphenidate hydrochloride.

Most district health boards have seen annual rises in the medication's use since 2013, with the national average rising 37 per cent in the same time period.

Dr Montgomery said paediatric prescribing hadn't changed, but couldn't speak for psychiatric or general practitioner prescription numbers.

The Whanganui District Health Board was asked for a response to questions from the Chronicle, but said it would deal with the questions as an Official Information Act request, which allows a response time of up to four weeks.

Dr Montgomery said the number of young people receiving the medication was still low compared to international standards, and he didn't have any concerns it was being prescribed too often.

"That's certainly well within the amount of prescribing that would seem reasonable and appropriate.

"It's the most effective treatment for ADHD. Compared with behavioural therapies and other therapies, it's the thing that works best for managing ADHD. You could even ask the question why is the rate of increase so low, [and] should there be more people on it."

University of Otago childhood ADHD researcher Dr Dione Healey said significant prescription increases in the last few years nationwide were surprising considering the medical community has been well aware of ADHD for the last 10 or 15 years.

She said the latest international guidelines lowered the threshold for ADHD to be diagnosed, which may have driven the increase in prescriptions.

Dr Healey also urged caution against medicating as a panacea, but said other methods of treatment, including teacher aides and behavioural management, were resource-heavy.

"The reality of life is that they require a lot of time and resources that are not available due to finances. So medication is a quicker, easier option."