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.