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Editorials: Sami Timimi Child psychiatry and its relationship with the pharmaceutical industry: theoretical and practical issues Adv Psychiatr Treat 2008; 14: 3-9 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Pharmaceutical industry and its influence on Child Psychiatry

Imran Mushtaq, Hind Al-Khairullah Associate Specialist-Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist   (3 March 2008)

Pharmaceutical industry and its influence on Child Psychiatry 3 March 2008
Imran Mushtaq, Associate Specialist-Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Milton Keynes Specialist-CAHMS, Hind Al-Khairullah Associate Specialist-Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Send letter to journal: Re: Pharmaceutical industry and its influence on Child Psychiatry imranmushtaq{at}doctors.org.uk Imran Mushtaq, et al.	Although, we accept most of Timimi’s arguments regarding pharmaceutical companies' influence we disagree that most childhood mental health disorders are promoted by the industry as ‘chemical imbalances in the brain’ pathologising ‘normal childhood behaviour’. In the 1990s most child psychiatrists worked psychotherapeutically but at the time not many drug treatments were widely available. In the last 15 years our understanding of the psychopathology and treatment of many disorders has improved. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate have been widely researched (James 2008) and are the mainstay of the pharmacological treatment of ADHD with response rates in the range of 80-90%. Child psychiatrists should adopt a psychotherapeutic model but not dismiss pharmacological treatments if well evidenced. Relying on drug companies for new drug trials is unavoidable but making sure the research is conducted ethically and negative as well as positive outcomes are widely disseminated is vital. New European legislation (Choonara 2007) encourages the drug industry to produce high quality transparent research. Refrences: Choonara I (2007) Regulation of drugs for children in Europe. British Medical Journal; 335:1221-1222 Authors: Imran Mushtaq Associate Specialist-Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Milton Keynes Specialist-CAHMS Eaglestone Centre, Standing Way Milton Keynes MK 6 5AZ Hind Al-Khairullah Associate Specialist-Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Milton Keynes Specialist-CAHMS Eaglestone Centre, Standing Way Milton Keynes MK 6 5AZ Declaration of interests: I.M and H.A both have attended educational meetings and conferences organised and expenses paid by different pharmaceutical companies.