Characteristics of methylphenidate prescriptions in a pediatric neurology outpatient clinic

ABSTRACT

Methylphenidate is not available through the Unified Health System (SUS), as it is not part of the National List of Essential Medicines. However, methylphenidate 10 mg is available through the public system in Maringá-PR, according to the Pharmaceutical Assistance Policy of the municipality. Retrospective cross-sectional observational study of a quantitative character occurred through the collection of data from the medical records registered in the Management System of the public health network in Maringá-PR, Brazil, by the neuropediatric outpatient clinic in the Basic Health Unit, between January 2017 and November 2019. Data were analyzed by relative and absolute frequency. 339 prescriptions were issued by the responsible neuropediatrician for 107 patients aged 6 to 11 years. There was an uneven geographic distribution of the number of children attended according to the neighborhood of the city, which points to a socioeconomic influence on the medication prescription. It is worth noting peaks of prescriptions coinciding with the period of the school year, following to a national trend. It was concluded that adequate specialized monitoring is a premise for better treatment, not dispensing the longitudinal assistance network. The impact of socioeconomic conditions is significant in the prescription and purchase of the medication.

KEYWORDS
Methylphenidate; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Prescription drugs; Child