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Prescriptions for consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) in England have risen 18% yr on yr for the reason that pandemic. That is larger than beforehand reported, and masks large regional variations in prescribing charges, finds analysis revealed within the journal BMJ Psychological Well being.
The tendencies doubtless replicate rising public {and professional} consciousness of the situation, pushed partially by social media, in addition to the potential impression of COVID-19, counsel the researchers. However the regional variations level to inequalities in entry to care, they add.
ADHD is widespread in youngsters, with a worldwide prevalence of round 7%, observe the researchers, whereas its prevalence in symptomatic adults can also be on the rise, with a reported price of practically 7%.
5 medication are licensed for its therapy within the UK: three stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine); and two non-stimulants (atomoxetine, guanfacine). And within the absence or lack of availability of other therapy choices, reminiscent of psychological or behavioral remedy, these medication have a key position in ADHD administration, say the researchers.
A number of research have reported a rise in ADHD prescriptions in England for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic, however most of those research had been based mostly on the outdated NHS construction—earlier than the introduction of 42 built-in care methods—and/or targeted on particular teams or forms of drug.
And little is at the moment identified in regards to the potential affect of different elements, reminiscent of social deprivation, inequalities, and psychological well being wants, they add.
To discover this additional, they mined the English Prescribing Dataset from April 2019 to March 2024, taking a look at prescription tendencies for the 5 at the moment licensed ADHD medication at nationwide, regional, and built-in care board (ICB) ranges.
The findings confirmed that prescriptions elevated considerably from round 25 gadgets per 1000 individuals in 2019–20, earlier than the appearance of the pandemic, to 41.55 gadgets in 2023–24, with a mean annual improve of 18% nationally—larger than beforehand reported.
Methylphenidate remained probably the most often prescribed drug (19 gadgets/1000 individuals), however the highest improve was for lisdexamfetamine, prescriptions for which elevated by 55% yr on yr, rising from 2.86 gadgets/1000 individuals in 2019–20 to eight.68 gadgets in 2023–24.
ADHD prescriptions rose in all seven areas of England, however there have been important regional variations: London noticed the best annual improve of 28%; the Northeast and Yorkshire noticed the bottom at 13%.
The second highest change within the annual prescription price of just about 19.5% was in Southeast England.
Prescribing tendencies additionally various broadly on the ICB stage. The NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB witnessed the best improve in prescriptions of just about 51.5%, however with appreciable variation throughout the ICB itself. The smallest improve of simply over 4.5% was in NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.
Additional evaluation confirmed important statistical associations between socioeconomic elements and ADHD prescriptions, notably ethnicity and deprivation, but additionally age and inequality.
A number of elements could clarify the substantial rise in prescription charges, say the researchers. “Increased public and professional awareness, partly driven by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has likely encouraged more people to seek assessment, diagnosis and treatment,” they write.
And so they warning, “There is a pressing need for research into effective methods for vetting and moderating ADHD-related information on social media platforms to ensure that awareness efforts do not inadvertently spread misinformation.”
The widespread disruption and elevated psychological stress ranges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic may additionally have pushed up prescribing charges, they counsel.
“While our study has identified significant changes in prescription patterns during and after the pandemic, it is crucial to determine whether these trends represent a temporary shift or a more permanent change in ADHD prescriptions,” they emphasize.
And so they conclude, “The significant rise in ADHD prescriptions across England highlights the urgent need for policies that address both regional and socioeconomic disparities in ADHD care access. Targeted efforts should be made to meet the needs of each region by identifying specific barriers to care and their root causes.”
Extra info:
Socioeconomic standing and prescribing of ADHD medicines: a research of ICB-level knowledge in England, BMJ Psychological Well being (2025). DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2024-301384
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British Medical Journal
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Research finds yearly 18% rise in ADHD prescriptions in England since COVID-19 pandemic (2025, March 11)
retrieved 12 March 2025
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