One-in-five in the USA could have Ritalin for non-medical use

Up to one-in-five people in the USA could be using cognitive-enhancing drugs for non-medical reasons, according to a survey published in the journal Nature. The poll of 1,400 people found that one-fifth (20%) of those surveyed had taken prescription medicines in order to stimulate focus, concentration or memory.

Of those, 62% confessed to using Swiss drug major Novartis' attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder therapy Ritalin (methylphenidate) and 44% to taking US Cephalon's Provigil (modafinil), which is indicated for the treatment of shift work sleep disorder. Most had either obtained the drugs on prescription or bought them over the Internet.

"We do not really have long-term efficacy and safety data in healthy people. These are studies that really need to be done," said lead investigator Barbara Sahakian, whose work has suggested up to 17% of students in US universities may be taking Ritalin.