Shifting Patterns of Use in the United States

Boys have always been the most frequently medicated with stimulant drugs. In 2002, an estimated 14% of U.S. boys were on stimulants (Ve-dantam, 2004), a figure that has probably grown considerably since then. The Pharmaceutical Business Review noted that the United States had become a so-called mature market for ADHD drugs, with relatively little room for expansion. In reality, the drug companies hit up a whole new market within the United States—adults with ADHD. 

The use of prescription medication for ADHD doubled between 2000 and 2004 (Hitti, 2005 Elias, 2005), according to data compiled by Medco Health Solutions, one of the nation s largest prescription benefit managers. The increases were largest among adults age 20-44, especially 

The convenience of once-a-day dosing for some drugs may also help increase sales. To make it even easier for parents to administer drugs to their children, on April 6, 2006, the FDA approved a skin patch for the delivery of methylphenidate (Ritalin) to children. A patch sounds a lot less ominous than a drug. Called Daytrana, the patch can be slapped on the child s hip for up to 9 hours at a time. When taken orally, methylphenidate has a shorter duration of action (3-6 hours), typically requiring a second dose handed out by the school nurse during the school day. 

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