Although there are guidelines to assist practitioners in prescribing drugs for mental health problems in the wider population, these are the first guidelines to address the specific issues relating to the pharmacological treatment of mental health problems in adults with LD. These guidelines were conceived by the Leicestershire Learning Disabilities (LD) Register, a joint venture between the University of Leicester and Leicestershire and Rutland Health Care NHS Trust, with support from Social Services. The Register was established in 1987 to provide an evidence base for improving the health and quality of life of all people with LD.