UK Leads European Surge in ADHD Medication Prescriptions
A comprehensive European study has revealed a dramatic escalation in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use across the continent, with the United Kingdom experiencing the most pronounced increase. Research led by the University of Oxford shows the proportion of people in the UK prescribed ADHD drugs has more than tripled over a 13-year period, rising from 0.12% in 2010 to 0.39% in 2023.
Striking Gender Disparities and Adult Diagnosis Trends
The investigation, which analysed electronic health records from five nations including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK, uncovered particularly remarkable trends among adult populations. While medication use increased substantially across all participating countries, the UK demonstrated the highest relative increase for all age groups.
Most notably, prevalence among UK adults aged 25 and over surged from just 0.01% in 2010 to 0.20% in 2023. This represents a more than 20-fold increase among women and a 15-fold rise among men within this age bracket. Although ADHD medication use remains higher among males overall, the research indicates the gender gap in treatment has been narrowing progressively over time.
Medication Patterns and Healthcare System Implications
The study, published in the prestigious Lancet Regional Health – Europe journal, tracked prescriptions for several ADHD medications including:
- Methylphenidate
- Dexamphetamine
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Atomoxetine
- Guanfacine
Methylphenidate emerged as the most commonly prescribed medication across all five countries. Newer treatments such as lisdexamfetamine and guanfacine showed steady uptake following market approval, though continuation rates after initial prescription remained relatively low with significant variation between nations.
Xintong Li, the lead study author at Oxford, commented: "We observed a consistent increase in ADHD medication use across Europe, but the most striking changes were among adults, especially women. These findings likely reflect growing awareness and diagnosis of adult ADHD, but they also raise important questions about long-term treatment patterns and care needs."
Treatment Gaps and Healthcare Planning Challenges
The research highlights a significant disparity between medication use rates and estimated ADHD prevalence. While approximately 8% of children and adolescents and 3% of adults globally are thought to have ADHD, medication prescription rates remain substantially lower. Researchers note that while not everyone with ADHD requires pharmaceutical treatment, the findings suggest a considerable proportion of those who might benefit are not receiving medication.
Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, a senior author of the study, emphasised the practical implications: "Understanding how ADHD medications are being used in real-world clinical practice is essential for healthcare planning. These data can help health systems anticipate demand and reduce the risk of future medication shortages, while also highlighting populations that may need closer monitoring."
NHS Pressures and European Context
The findings arrive amid significant pressures on UK healthcare services. Recent reports indicate the NHS is overspending by £164 million annually on ADHD services, with increasing expenditure directed toward unregulated private assessments. Analysis suggests total spending on NHS ADHD services is expected to more than double existing budgets, while expenditure on private ADHD services has more than tripled over three years.
Across Europe, the Netherlands recorded the second highest increase in ADHD medication prevalence, more than doubling from 0.67% to 1.56% between 2010 and 2023. The growing recognition of ADHD as a lifelong condition, coupled with ongoing medication shortages in parts of Europe, underscores the urgent need for healthcare systems to develop robust strategies to manage rising demand and ensure appropriate care pathways for affected individuals.
