BOSTON, MA -- Psychotropic Medications Overprescribed in Foster-Care

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Concomitant Psychotropic Medications Overprescribed in Foster-Care
Youth: Presented at AACAP

By Maria Bishop

http://www.docguide.com/news/content...257385004A3A9A

BOSTON, MA -- October 31, 2007 -- Nearly 20% of youths in foster care
receiving psychotropic medications received two or more such drugs in
the same drug class, in a study presented here at the 54th Annual
Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).

Professionally developed monitoring guidelines would help to validate
any necessary prescriptions for multiple psychotropic medications, noted
lead author Julie M. Zito, PhD, MS, Associate Professor in Pharmacy and
Psychiatry, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research,
School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United
States.

Dr. Zito and colleagues selected a random sample (n = 472) from a total
of 32,135 Medicaid foster-care enrolees in Texas in 2004. All subjects
were 19 years of age or younger (64% over the age of 10; 5% were age 4
years and under) and all received at least one psychotropic drug in the
study year (2004).

The psychotropic drugs were classified under 8 drug descriptions:
anticonvulsants; alpha agonists; antianxiolytics; antidepressants
(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants,
other); antipsychotics (atypical and conventional); ADHD drugs
(amphetamines, methylphenidate, atomoxetine); lithium; and miscellaneous.

Results demonstrated that nearly 73% of subjects were prescribed two or
more psychotropic agents (in separate classes) concomitantly, while more
than 41% received three or more; more than 15% received four or more
drugs, and more than 2% received five or more.

Psychiatrists wrote 93% of the prescriptions for the children in this study.

Clinician-reported diagnoses indicated the following: attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (38.8%), depression (35.5%), adjustment/anxiety
(33.7%), bipolar (17.2%), and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct
disorder (20.6%).

Concomitant drug use in this study was assessed manually using
patient-level computerised claims data from the month of July, 2004.

Previous studies on the prevalence of multiple psychotropic medications
in foster-care children have included medication claims for periods of 7
days (underestimating coprescribing) and for periods of 3, 6 and 12
months (overestimating coprescribing), Dr. Zito noted. Further more
realistic data are needed to validate the use of psychotropic drugs and
to ensure their effective and safe use in this at-risk population, he added.

Prescriptions for psychotropic medication for youths in foster care in
the United States in general far exceed prescriptions made to similar
Medicaid-insured youth who qualify because of low family income,
according to the researchers.





CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.


CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...


BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...