U.S. kids getting more ADHD drugs, fewer antibiotics - Reuters UK
NEW YORK |
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The number of drugs dispensed to U.S. minors has dropped slightly over the past decade, bucking the rise in prescriptions to adults, according to a government report out Monday.
Antibiotics use fell by 14 percent, suggesting efforts to curb rampant overuse of the drugs "may be working," researchers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) write in the journal Pediatrics.
Experts say antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections caused by viruses, although they only work against bacteria. That has fueled the growth of drug-resistant superbugs.
The new report also found an uptick in the use of some drugs in children, with stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, leading the pack.
From 2002 to 2010, the use of ADHD drugs grew by 46 percent -- or some 800,000 prescriptions a year. The top drug dispensed to adolescents was the stimulant methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, with more than four million prescriptions filled in 2010.
"What the article is suggesting is that the number of children that we are treating for attention deficit disorder has gone up," said Dr. Scott Benson, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a spokesperson for the American Psychiatric Association.
"For the most part I think the overall increase reflects a reduction in the stigma," he told Reuters Health. "It used to be, ‘You're a bad parent if you can't get your child to behave, and you're a doubly bad parent if you put them on medicine.'"
Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral pediatrician who has written extensively about ADHD, was more critical of the rise in stimulant prescriptions, noting that the U.S. is far ahead of other countries in its use of the drugs.
"You have to look at how our society handles school children's problems. It's clear that we rely much, much more on a pharmacological answer than other societies do," Diller said. "The medicine is overprescribed primarily, but under-prescribed for certain inner-city groups of children."
A report in the New York Times last Sunday said stimulant use is becoming a commonly used study drug even among high schoolers, with healthy students easily fooling their doctors into prescribing the coveted drugs.
"There is no objective test, so obtaining the medications is relatively easy," said Diller.
The new findings are based on data from healthcare research firm IMS Health and do not include drugs given at hospitals.
Overall, there were 263 million filled prescriptions to minors in 2010, down seven percent since 2002. After taking population changes into account, that corresponds to a nine-percent drop; by contrast, adult prescriptions rose by 11 percent.
Prescription drugs classes that showed marked dips among children included allergy medicines, cough and cold drugs, painkillers, and antidepressants.
Apart from ADHD drugs, asthma medicine and birth control pills also showed increases.
The FDA said it could not explain the reasons behind the changes.
ACID REFLUX IN INFANTS
The agency also looked at an acid reflux drug called lansoprazole (sold as Prevacid) due to concerns about efficacy and safety in infants.
The medication is not indicated for children younger than one, and studies show it has no effect in that age group. Yet doctors wrote 358,000 prescriptions for the drug to babies under one in 2010.
Dr. Eric Hassall, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the California Pacific Medical Center, said the number reflects rampant overuse of acid drugs in infants.
"These drugs work very well when they are prescribed for the right indication," he told Reuters Health. "But in infants they are very seldom indicated."
He added that stomach acid is the first defense against many infections and blocking it even for part of the day will raise children's risk of pneumonia and stomach infections.
"My concern is that we are unnecessarily exposing infants to infectious and nutritional complications," Hassall said. "Doctors are too quick to prescribe and parents are very quick to demand, and this is of course driven by consumer advertising."
"I would advise parents that if their child is growing and developing normally despite spitting up, they should resist the urge to give the child a medical diagnosis and administer prescription medications," he added. "If their child is excessively irritable or otherwise unwell, they should seek medical consultation."
SOURCE: bit.ly/HjQ8dI Pediatrics, online June 18, 2012.
Harper, G20 leaders to focus on eurozone woes - CBC
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other world leaders at a meeting of the world's 20 most important economies can breathe a little easier after a political party that favours staying in the eurozone came in first in Greece's national elections Sunday.
All eyes at the G20 summit at the Mexican desert resort of Los Cabos were on the Greek election. A win by one of the parties that wanted to tear up Greece's huge bailout deals threatened to send ripples through financial markets and set the stage for the country's exit from the 17-member bloc of nations that use the euro.
A win by Greece's anti-austerity parties in Sunday's election could have resulted in the country defaulting on its debts and getting kicked out of the eurozone.
Many Greeks strongly reject the tough austerity measures, such as cuts in public sector pay and pensions, imposed upon Greece in return for its two multibillion-euro rescue packages to help pay off the country's massive debt.
Last month, Greek voters punished politicians who backed the belt-tightening in favour of fringe parties that promised to ditch the austerity measures that were a condition of receiving the bailout deals.
But a narrow victory Sunday by Greece's pro-bailout New Democracy party eased fears of global financial turmoil, with Asian stock markets up in early trading.
"The Greek people today voted for Greece to remain on its European path and in the eurozone," New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras said after his party won. "[Voters chose] policies that will bring jobs, growth, justice and security."
The G7 welcomed the result of the vote.
"Taking note of the Greek elections, we look forward to working with the next government of Greece, and believe that it is in all our interests for Greece to remain in the Euro area while respecting its commitments," said a statement released Sunday.
"We welcome the commitment of the Euro Area to work in partnership with the next Greek government to ensure they remain on the path to reform and sustainability within the Euro Area."
Even though anxiety has eased in Los Cabos, Europe's financial woes are expected to dominate the two-day summit. Spain, the continent's fifth-largest economy, just agreed to accept a bailout for its cash-strapped banks. Portugal and Ireland have already received bailouts, and Italy is mired in debt.
Summit begins Monday afternoon
Countries outside of Europe have pledged billions of dollars to the International Monetary Fund to stabilize the world economy, should the need arise.
Canada and the United States reject the idea of contributing to the IMF. Canada pledged $10 billion to the fund in 2009, and Harper has said the Europeans are wealthy and have the means to deal with the crisis themselves.
Meanwhile, social-networking website Twitter was abuzz Sunday with speculation Canada will be allowed to join talks on a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Canada, Japan and Mexico are all trying to get a seat at the negotiating table. But the strongest reservations about letting Canada pull up a chair are believed to come from the United States and New Zealand.
Canada's trade restrictions on dairy and poultry products present the biggest obstacle to joining the nine-country talks. Canada has a supply-management system that controls milk and egg prices while setting prohibitively high tariffs on imports.
An announcement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership could come before Harper returns to Canada on Tuesday.
Harper starts his day Monday by meeting South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak. Then he'll meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard before the summit begins Monday afternoon.
BJP-RSS want Kalam for president; he may decide today - Hindustan Times
Kalam's decision can change the whole political equation, as if in case he agrees to contest for the poll, NDA may decide to support him.
NDA ally JD (U) on Monday remained non-committal on their decision to back BJP candidate. "NDA is trying to create consensus. we have time till June 30. We have time, we'll take it and decide", said party leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
On Friday before UPA announced its presidential candidate, Kalam had said that he will take reight decision at right time.
"It is a good idea, will take right decision at right time," APJ Abdul Kalam told reporters on his name being suggested for President.
TV news channels report, Kalam is being pressurised by several political parties to contest polls.
After being snubbed by the UPA, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is still keen on Kalam's name for presidential poll.
After UPA announced its decision to back Pranab, Mamata Banerjee said the game is not over yet. She even launched a facebook page seeking support to back Kalam.
"I have said. I won't say anything more. In my life, I do what I say and if someone thinks the game is over, it's not that", she told reporters.
Mamata is expected to formally announce party's candidate for presidential polls. Mamata has issued specific diktat to ensure no cross-voting. A formal announcement will be made on Monday evening.
BJP led NDA on the other hand is still divided on whom to support. On Sunday, BJP sought to bring around their NDA allies to support former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma as a common non-Congress candidate against the UPA’s Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential elections, but failed to overcome the differences.
While the Shiv Sena skipped the meeting, Janata Dal (United) leader Shivanand Tiwari said a contest against Mukherjee was best avoided. But party chief and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said Advani should get time to work on a consensus over Sangma.
Whole scenario now depends on Kalam's decision as Sangma emerged as BJP's choice only after APJ Abdul Kalam remained non-committal.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
* Senior BJP leader Advani calls up former President APJ Abdul Kalam
* BJP sends Sudheendra Kulkarni to Kalam's residence to persuade him to contest poll
* JD(U) remains non-committal
* SAD declares support for nominee selected by the BJP
Man City start title defence at home to Saints - Football
Published: 18 Jun 2012 - 10:18:00
Manchester City will begin the defence of their English Premier League title at home to newly promoted Southampton on August 18, it was announced Monday.
Manchester United, who were just pipped to the title on the final day of the 2011/12 season, are away to Everton before Fulham visit Old Trafford the following weekend.
Arsenal, third last term, start at home to Sunderland before travelling to Stoke and Liverpool.
The opening day of the season sees two Europa League rivals go head-to-head when Newcastle welcome Tottenham Hotspur, currently without a manager following the departure of Harry Redknapp, to St James' Park.
European champions Chelsea, with Roberto di Matteo now their full-time as opposed to caretaker manager, begin their quest for the Premier League title away to Wigan. Newcastle will be the first league visitors to Stamford Bridge.
Brendan Rodgers' first Premier League match as Liverpool manager will be at West Bromwich Albion, now managed by former Chelsea and Liverpool assistant Steve Clarke after the Baggies lost Roy Hodgson to England.
Rodgers is set for a tough start in front of the Liverpool faithful, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United the first three league visitors to Anfield next season.
Swansea, the team Rodgers left, will have the first league game under new manager Michael Laudrup at Queens Park Rangers.
West Ham's return to the Premier League starts at home to Aston Villa, now managed by former Norwich boss Paul Lambert.
Fellow newcomers Reading will also have home advantage in their first top flight game for four years when Stoke arrive at the Madejski Stadium.
Meanwhile Fulham and Norwich meet at Craven Cottage in Chris Hughton's first competitive game since replacing Lambert as Canaries boss.
Related Southampton News
French Socialists vow reforms after big poll win - Reuters
PARIS |
PARIS (Reuters) - A resounding Socialist victory in weekend parliamentary elections will allow President Francois Hollande to press ahead with reforms to tame France's deficit and promote economic growth in Europe, a senior minister said on Monday.
The Socialists, who won a comfortable majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, will use a special session of parliament next month to axe tax breaks and increase taxes for large corporations, particularly banks and energy companies.
The measures are part of Hollande's twin track drive to balance France's budget by 2017 and persuade Europe's paymaster Germany to back his call for a stimulus package of more than $100 billion to boost growth.
Election results for mainland France showed the Socialists and their affiliates won 307 seats, comfortably exceeding the 289 required for a majority in the National Assembly. Definitive figures including overseas territories were due later on Monday, with polls predicting the Socialists could win up to 320 seats.
With the left already controlling the Senate upper house of parliament, that would free the Socialists from relying on the votes of the anti-austerity, eurosceptic Left Front or the conservative UMP opposition.
Interior Minister Manuel Valls said the government would waste no time in pressing ahead with promised reforms.
"We need to sort out this country's finances, to ensure we achieve a balanced budget by 2017, and at the same time pursue our priorities in terms of growth, employment, education and security," said Valls, promising tax reforms to ensure that the richest French pay their share.
Valls said that a resurgence in the vote for the National Front - which won two parliamentary seats and returns to parliament for the first time since the mid-1980s - was due to widespread disenchantment with France's economic situation.
"We need to mobilize our European partners because piling more austerity on top of austerity will lead to tragedy and a deep rift between the peoples of Europe and their politicians."
With unemployment at a 13-year high of 10 percent and economic growth stagnating, Hollande faces a delicate balancing act in reducing the government's deficit and keeping the euro zone's second largest economy out of the sights of financial market speculators attacking Spain and Italy.
The government may use a review of government finances by the state auditor, due by the end of June, to temper its campaign spending promises.
Hollande was to address a summit of G20 leaders in Mexico on Monday. He travels to Rome on Friday for four-way talks with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy ahead of an EU leaders summit at the end of June which is due to discuss closer economic integration in the bloc.
SOCIALISTS WELCOME GREEK RESULT
Government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem told France Inter radio that Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault could name a permanent cabinet as early as Thursday, replacing the interim government named after Hollande won May's presidential election.
With all the major cabinet members, including Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici, having won their legislative seats, no major changes were expected.
Vallaud-Belkacem welcomed the victory of the conservative, pro-bailout New Democracy party in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Greece. The result, relegating the far-left SYRIZA party to second place, sent European stocks and the euro currency higher on Monday.
"It is true that we are pleased that they have chosen the euro," she said. "We are ready to help them with this. President Hollande has fought to put growth back on the European agenda precisely to send a positive signal to the Greeks."
Following the defeat of the Socialists' former presidential candidate Segolene Royal - Hollande's ex-partner of 25 years - in the western city of La Rochelle, Vallaud-Belkacem paid tribute to the role she had played in the Socialist's national victory.
"We need her and she can still play a role. It's up to her to decide," she said.
(Editing by Jon Boyle)
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