Who’s Looking Out For The Kids

State legislators and policymakers need to pay attention to a growing issue: over-prescribing powerful drugs to children - drugs that often have not been tested for their effects on children and that have significant side effects and sometimes questionable value. From heavy prescribing of ADHD drugs generally to policies affecting children in foster care and patients on Medicaid, states need to review their oversight and policies. This year, Minnesota adopted a new policy requiring requiring doctors in many cases to begin using a state-funded consulting service before prescribing powerful psychiatric medications for young patients.

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