J. Valentine et al., NATIONAL TRENDS IN THE USE OF STIMULANT MEDICATION FOR ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER, Journal of paediatrics and child health, 32(3), 1996, pp. 223-227
Objective: To document the use of stimulant medication in the diffent
states and territories of Australia in 1993 and trends in use of stimu
lant medication in Western Australia and New South Wales from 1988 to
1993. Methodology: Health authorities in the states and territories of
Australia were contacted and requested to provided data on total numb
ers, patient gender, date of birth, postcode and type of stimulant med
ication prescribed to estimate the prevalence of use of stimulant medi
cation in Australia. Results: Despite variation in the data obtained f
rom each health authority there is a significant difference in the rat
es of use of stimulant medication between states and territories in Au
stralia, and a significant increase in use between 1988 and 1993 in We
stern Australia and New South Wales. Conclusions: These trends should
continue to be closely monitored and the possibilty of establishing na
tional prescription guidelines considered.