Good news for families of children with ADHD as Concerta® is added to PBS

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is still a focus of much public interest and debate. This should not be surprising however, considering that between 3 and 5% of primary school aged children suffer from the disorder.

While the cause of ADHD remains unknown, it is characterised by the presence of symptoms of inattention such as: failing to pay close attention to details; finding it difficult to sustain attention in tasks; difficulty in organising things as well as being easily distracted and often being forgetful.

There are also symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity such as: fidgeting or squirming in the seat; excessive running and climbing in situations where it is inappropriate; difficulty in playing or being involved in leisure activities quietly; talking excessively; difficulty awaiting turn and often interrupting others.

These symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention have to have been present for more than 6 months, and of a severity that they are negatively affecting the child’s life in several settings (such as both school and home) and leading to impairment of functioning.

One of the treatments that have been shown to be highly effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD is the use of stimulant medications.

Concerta® is a long-acting stimulant medication that has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in children, producing improvements in behaviour and performance.

Some other stimulant medications, such as Ritalin®, only have an effect that lasts for 3-4 hours, and so children have to take another tablet, often during lunch. Concerta® is designed to have an effect that lasts for 12 hours, meaning that the tablet can be given before school begins and will continue to have an effect all through the day, without the need for additional tablets.

Recently, Concerta® was added to the PBS(Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), which is great for parents, teachers and children. What this PBS listing means is that for children diagnosed with ADHD, Concerta® can be available at a far lower cost than previously. While a private prescription would formerly have cost between $100-$150, the cost now will be that of all PBS listed medications: only $30.90 (and down to $5 for Health Care Card holders).

This will make the benefits of Concerta much more easily available to those families whose children suffer from ADHD.

References:

1. Biederman J, Newcorn J, Sprich S. Comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with conduct, depressive, anxiety, and other disorders. American Jounal of Psychiatry. 1991; 148: 564-77.
2. Janssen-Cilag. ‘Concerta (Methylphenidate hydrochloride)’ [online], MIMS Online, Available at: http://www.mims.com.au (last accessed: 15/4/2007)
3. Sadock BJ and Sadock VA. Pocket Handbook of Clinical Psychiatry. 2005, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: New York.
4. Swanson JM, Wigal SB, Wigal T, et al. A comparison of once-daily extended-release methylphenidate formulations in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the laboratory school (the Comacs Study). Pediatrics. 2004; 113(3 Pt 1): e206-16.