Guidelines Ensure Correct Drug and Dose for Children
Posted on: Wednesday, 21 September 2005, 09:00 CDT
A "DRUGS Bible" was launched yesterday to help doctors decide on the best medicines to use when treating children.
Most medicines are tested on adults because drug companies have little financial incentive to develop treatments specifically for children. Doctors are forced to use adult medicines, risking adverse reactions.
New guidance has been developed to help judge the best dosage and drugs for children.
The British National Formulary for Children, which will be made available to more than 30,000 health professionals in Scotland, will give advice on drugs and dosages.
Dr George Rylance, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said there were research gaps in many areas of prescribing for children.
"For complicated or more serious conditions, doctors often need to use drugs tested in adults which have not been specifically licensed for children. It's a great step forward for children's medicine The new guide will bring all this information together in one reliable source."
A spokesman for the Executive said: "These new guidelines are an excellent development, which will ensure that GPs and other healthcare professionals will have vital guidance on the prescribing of medicines to children."
Source: Scotsman, The
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