Unlicensed Drugs Being Prescribed To Children
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The January 8th issue of the British Medical Journal reports that two thirds of children in a recent study, in European hospitals have received unlicensed drugs.The practice of prescribing drugs that have not been approved for use in children is widespread, European researchers report. There is a considerable concern in both Europe and the United States about the use of "unlicensed or off label drugs in children." The BMJ reports that many drugs used to treat children in hospitals are either not licensed for use in children or are prescribed outside the terms of their product license which is known as off label prescribing. Researchers in the study found that two thirds of the children admitted to general pediatric wards received an unlicensed or off label drug prescription during their hospital stays. The authors note that some unlicensed and off label drug use may be necessary and appropriate. Yet some drugs, such as antibiotics, would be toxic to children if administered according to the directions for adult patients. The use of off label drugs may present unknown hazards to children. BMJ: Two thirds of children in European hospitals receive unlicensed drugs
Fox News: Drugs prescribed for children need better testing
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