Melatonin for 7 year old son

I realise this thread is mainly about Melatonin for autistic children but, as a 56 year-old adult with diagnosed Aspergers, and an insomnia sufferer for 16 years, I've recently experienced great difficulty obtaining an NHS prescription. 

My local autism unit (which cannot prescribe medication of any type) suggested it to my GP, who was unable to prescribe it without consulting the practice pharmacist.  The latter replied with a long letter - which my GP read out to me - strongly criticising the local autism unit for allegedly applying "coercive pressure" on the GP to prescribe it.  The GP even mentioned the whole matter "has been referred to a higher level".

Among the reasons for the pharmacist's criticism was that, while benefits have been proved with children, there have been no studies of Melatonin with autistic adults.  If that's really the case, surely it's time one was done!

Eventually the GP told me he'd prescribe it for 13 weeks, but was clearly unhappy about it ("we shouldn't be in this situation but the fact is we are") and, after the pharmacist's stern comments, I felt under pressure not to take Melatonin - but, despite all this fuss, I will try it and hope to collect it from the chemist tomorrow.

I realise that the GP has been placed in a difficult position but he's the only person who can prescribe it for me.  I don't see any relevant hospital consultant, who'd normally be the health professional expected to prescribe Melatonin.

Does anyone know why Melatonin is so highly restricted in the UK, especially with adults?  Apparently, it's only because I'm over 55 that I'm allowed it all (Circadin).  But surely if it's prescribed for children, the risks cannot be that great (especially compared to the long-term use of Zopiclone which is regularly prescribed for me).  As the pharmacist admitted, it's not particularly expensive.  Indeed, his letter suggested that I go privately to obtain it, but that of course would involve considerable consultancy fees as well.

I realise this thread is mainly about Melatonin for autistic children but, as a 56 year-old adult with diagnosed Aspergers, and an insomnia sufferer for 16 years, I've recently experienced great difficulty obtaining an NHS prescription. 

My local autism unit (which cannot prescribe medication of any type) suggested it to my GP, who was unable to prescribe it without consulting the practice pharmacist.  The latter replied with a long letter - which my GP read out to me - strongly criticising the local autism unit for allegedly applying "coercive pressure" on the GP to prescribe it.  The GP even mentioned the whole matter "has been referred to a higher level".

Among the reasons for the pharmacist's criticism was that, while benefits have been proved with children, there have been no studies of Melatonin with autistic adults.  If that's really the case, surely it's time one was done!

Eventually the GP told me he'd prescribe it for 13 weeks, but was clearly unhappy about it ("we shouldn't be in this situation but the fact is we are") and, after the pharmacist's stern comments, I felt under pressure not to take Melatonin - but, despite all this fuss, I will try it and hope to collect it from the chemist tomorrow.

I realise that the GP has been placed in a difficult position but he's the only person who can prescribe it for me.  I don't see any relevant hospital consultant, who'd normally be the health professional expected to prescribe Melatonin.

Does anyone know why Melatonin is so highly restricted in the UK, especially with adults?  Apparently, it's only because I'm over 55 that I'm allowed it all (Circadin).  But surely if it's prescribed for children, the risks cannot be that great (especially compared to the long-term use of Zopiclone which is regularly prescribed for me).  As the pharmacist admitted, it's not particularly expensive.  Indeed, his letter suggested that I go privately to obtain it, but that of course would involve considerable consultancy fees as well.