For some time, considerable disparity has been apparent in the prescribing of medication for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in different jurisdictions in Australia.

Despite having a smaller population than New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, Western Australia accounts for the highest number of prescriptions dispensed for dexamphetamine sulfate, a drug prescribed to treat ADHD that is subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Luke Buckmaster examines the evidence.