Drugs like thyrozine, morphine, and certain anti-epileptic drugs are being prescribed to children in spite of them not being licensed for the purpose.
A House of Lords committee report has revealed that about 90% of the medicines used for treating new born babies have not actually been tested on children. Drugs like thyrozine, morphine, and certain anti-epileptic drugs are being prescribed to children in spite of them not being licensed for the purpose. Even asthma inhalers which are being given to children have not undergone proper tests with regard to children. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has to license the drugs as at present after the clinical trials have been completed.
These drugs are not necessarily tested on children, even though this may become mandatory in the future. Most drug firms feel that problems like this are likely to come up only if a doctor were to miscalculate the dosage. Most of the medicines are prescribed taking into account the symptoms, and the weight and height of the child. Proper formulations are required when treating babies, according to these companies. Most of the doctors in the country who treat children are well experienced, and they are guided by the British National Formulary for Children.
