Med Dosage Errors Among Young People With ADHD Have Soared: Study
The study warns that over the past two decades, errors involving ADHD medications rose by almost 300% in people under 20 — mostly in cases of taking a medication twice. Separately, a study on MDMA as a treatment for PTSD could result in consideration for FDA approval by 2024.
CBS News:
Study Finds Errors With ADHD Meds In Kids Has Increased Last Two Decades
A new study in the Journal of Pediatrics finds errors involving ADHD medications in kids have risen sharply over the past two decades. Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio studied national poison data from 2000 through 2021 and found that errors involving ADHD medications increased by almost 300% in people under 20 during that period. Two-thirds of the cases occurred in kids ages 6 to 12. The most common error was accidentally taking or being given mediation twice, followed by taking someone else's medication or taking the wrong medication. (Marshall, 9/18)
In other pharmaceutical updates —
Fox News:
Study On MDMA's Use To Treat PTSD Could Send Therapy Method To FDA For Approval By 2024
A new study published last week suggests the psychedelic drug MDMA, also known as Ecstasy or Molly, can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and some expect the treatment to be approved by 2024. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit research and educational organization that was formed in 1986 and focuses on the medical, legal and cultural contexts for how people can benefit from the "careful" uses of psychedelics and marijuana, sponsored the study. (Wehner, 9/18)
The New York Times:
Does Ozempic Stop Working Over Time? Why Weight Loss Can Plateau
People taking the drug and similar medications will hit an inevitable, and necessary, plateau. Here’s why. (Blum, 9/18)
KFF Health News:
Save Billions Or Stick With Humira? Drug Brokers Steer Americans To The Costly Choice
Tennessee last year spent $48 million on a single drug, Humira — about $62,000 for each of the 775 patients who were covered by its employee health insurance program and receiving the treatment. So when nine Humira knockoffs, known as biosimilars, hit the market for as little as $995 a month, the opportunity for savings appeared ample and immediate. But it isn’t here yet. Makers of biosimilars must still work within a health care system in which basic economics rarely seems to hold sway. (Allen, 9/19)
