PolicyLab

PolicyLab’s David Rubin and Meredith Matone published a study in Health Services Research showing an increase in the use of antipsychotic drugs among Medicaid-insured children from 2002 to 2007.  This national study, the largest of its kind, found a 62% increase in antipsychotic prescribing across a number of mental health diagnoses. Moreover, researchers found that by 2007, nearly two-thirds of antipsychotic users were taking the medications for diagnoses not clinically indicated for antipsychotic use. The frequent off-label prescription of these medications has raised concern among healthcare providers in light of recent evidence demonstrating serious adverse side-effects associated with use. For more information, see the press release and 1-page summary.