Why is the use of medicines for children such an issue? Partly because only a few of them have been tested on children, so there are often uncertainties about appropriate dosages, or possible side-effects. Many medicines are off-label (meaning not tested on the child's age group) or unlicensed, which means that extra care must be taken when prescribing them. General guidance is available regarding their use, since the most common therapeutic intervention carried out in the NHS is the prescription of medicines.
Should I be worried? Until recently there was resistance to the idea of conducting clinical trials on children, but now the failure to test the drugs properly is seen to be the problem. A number of developments are taking place to improve the situation, and the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services includes a standard devoted solely to medicines for children and young people.
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