Pediatric drug formulations: challenges and potential solutions

Lack of pediatric drug formulations for both currently marketed and new drugs continues to be a challenge. Marketing of commercial products, along with pediatric indications, would be the ultimate solution to the lack of pediatric drug formulations. However, until that occurs, funding of research on extemporaneous formulations proposed by scientists should be a high priority. Government, academia, industry, the USPC, and professional associations should collaborate in developing the best policies and an action plan. Infants and children should not be expected to wait for stable extemporaneous formulations of important drugs until an unrealistic goal of having all generic and new drugs available commercially in suitable formulations has been realized.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. K. Treadway, D. Craddock, and R. Leff Practices of pharmacies that compound extemporaneous formulations Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., July 1, 2007; 64(13): 1403 - 1409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Balakrishnan, J. Grieve, J. Tordoff, P. Norris, and D. Reith Pediatric licensing status and the availability of suitable formulations for new medical entities approved in the United States between 1998 and 2002. J. Clin. Pharmacol., September 1, 2006; 46(9): 1038 - 1043. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G.W. 't Jong, I.A. Eland, M.C.J.M. Sturkenboom, J.N. van den Anker, and B.H.C. Stricker Unlicensed and off-label prescription of respiratory drugs to children Eur. Respir. J., February 1, 2004; 23(2): 310 - 313. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]