Rx use up in teenage girls
Executive Summary
A Medco analysis of 370,000 prescription drug claims in patients aged 10 to 19 reveals a significant increase in utilization of prescription medications by girls that far outpaces that of boys. From 2001 to 2006, the use of diabetes medication grew nearly 59 percent for girls compared to 14 percent for boys. Antipsychotic drug use grew 117 percent in girls compared to 71 percent in boys. Forty-six percent more girls than boys took sleep medications in 2006, with use in girls over five years growing by 80 percent. Although the use of ADHD medication is still more prevalent in boys, there was a 74 percent jump over five years in use by girls. Though the prevalence rates continue to rise, growth in girls slowed from 2005 to 2006 for all the above drugs expect sleep medications...