|
Washington, DC–
The National Consumers League, the nation’s oldest consumer
organization, today announced a new initiative for parents of
children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD).
“Responsible Rx” is designed to help parents make successful and
appropriate treatment choices for their child with AD/HD, a
challenging condition that leaves many parents confused about
how to best help their child. Responsible Rx will provide
parents tools to improve communication with their healthcare
professional and better understand the risks and benefits of
AD/HD medications.
AD/HD is one of the most common neuro-behavioral
disorders among children, affecting an
estimated four million children in the United States. Its most
common symptoms -- impulsivity, hyperactivity, and
inattention -- can impact many aspects of a child's life,
including academic performance, socialization, peer and family
relationships, and the ability to participate in activities
outside of school. While the onset of AD/HD has not been
exclusively linked to a single factor, increasing evidence
suggests a neurobiological, neurochemical, and genetic basis for
the condition. Although AD/HD cannot be cured, it can be
treated with behavioral therapy and medications to reduce
symptom intensity and frequency.
"Medications to treat the symptoms of AD/HD have
been used for more than 50 years and have provided significant
benefits in improving the quality of life for children with this
condition,” said Linda Golodner, President and Chief Executive
Officer, National Consumers League. “However, even parents who
recognize the benefits of these medications may have questions
as a result of recent news coverage and scheduled regulatory
reviews of AD/HD drugs. We designed Responsible Rx to give
parents factual information about available AD/HD medications
and to provide practical guidance on working together with
physicians to make the best treatment choice for their child."
The Responsible Rx program, which is sponsored by
Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Division of
McNeil-PPC, Inc., will provide
a toolkit to help parents understand the treatment evaluation
and management process once an AD/HD diagnosis has been made.
The toolkit, which will be available online at
www.ResponsibleRx.org, will include guides to help
parents maintain a detailed medical history and monitor their
child's response to medication, as well as tips on reading
prescription medication labels and reporting symptoms and
behaviors to their child's physician.
“Making the decision to place your child on drug
therapy is a tough one for many parents,” said Golodner.
“Responsible Rx will help inform and educate parents to become
better physician allies when deciding the best course of
treatment for a child.”
AD/HD, especially when untreated, has a
considerable effect on quality of life and societal
functioning. Children with untreated AD/HD are more likely to
have poor self-esteem, academic underachievement, poor peer
relationships and increased parental stress. In 30 percent to
60 percent of children with AD/HD, the condition may persist
into adulthood. Adults with untreated AD/HD are more likely to
have problems focusing at work and increased risk of motor
vehicle violations, accidents and substance abuse disorders.
"As a leader in the field of pediatric medicine,
we recognize our responsibility to provide parents with the
tools to best partner with their health care professional in
making appropriate treatment choices for their child," said Lynn
Starr, M.D., FAAP, Director, Medical Affairs, Specialty
Pharmaceuticals, Division of McNeil-PPC,
Inc, founding sponsor of the Responsible Rx initiative.
"We are pleased to be able to provide funding to the NCL for
this important program. It is our hope that this program will
give parents the tools to be better guardians of their child’s
health and AD/HD management."
For more information about Responsible Rx, visit
www.ResponsibleRx.org
For Linda Golodner's comments,
click here.
|
