Prescribing Patterns of Methylphenidate in a South African Patient Population who are Members of a Private Medical Aid

Methylphenidate is primarily used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the prescribing patterns of methylphenidate of a medical aid patient population in a private sector and to compare the results with previous studies. An exposure cohort drug utilisation study was conducted. Data were obtained from a South African medical aid administrator. Prescription records for 115 patients who received methylphenidate during 2002 were retrospectively analysed. Nearly three-quarters (73.0) of the patients were males and 79.1of patients were 18 years or younger. The average age of patients was 15.6 (SD=10.8) years. Seventeen patients were 30 years or older. Two-thirds of prescriptions (67.3) were for methylphenidate 10 mg (the innovator product); 20.7were for the 20 mg slow-release innovator product and the rest were prescriptions for the recently introduced 10 mg generic equivalent tablet. Patients received on average 4.0 (SD=3.3) prescriptions for methylphenidate during the year. The average Prescribed Daily Dose (PDD) for methylphenidate was 15.4 (SD=7.6) mg. Further studies are recommended; especially into the quality of life of patients before and after receiving methylphenidate. The impact of methylphenidate on the academic performance of patients should also be quantified

Prescribing of Drugs for the Treatment of Migraine with Specific Emphasis on Sumatriptan

Migraine affects between 5.15of males and 13;5-31of females in South Africa. Little is known about the prescribing patterns of anti-migraine drugs in South Africa. The aim of the study was to investigate the prescribing of drugs for the treatment of migraine (ATC Group NOZC); with specific emphasis on sumatriptan; in a primary care patient population in South Africa; making use of a computerised prescription database. A total of 3 01 1 products for the treatment of migraine at a cost of R451559 were prescribed to 578 patients in the study over a period of one year (1996) since sumatriptan was the onlytriptan available in South Africa in 1996. The average age of patients was 48;40 (SD = 14;19) years; with 74;57ofpatients between 20 and 59 years of age. Approximately 80of patients were females. Female patients were prescribed 81;53of the products. Most drugs (67;55) were for the prophylaxis of migraine; of which clonidine andflunarizine were the most frequentlyprescribed. Of the drugs prescribedspecifically for the management of migraine; sumatriptan (575prescriptions to 103 patients) was the most frequently prescribed; followed by 400 prescriptions for ergotamine. Tablets were the preferred dosage form. Since migraine affects primarily the economically active sector of the community and its treatment is relatively expensive; pharmacists have an important role to play in managing and counselling migraine sufferers