THE USE OF UNLICENSED MEDICINES OR LICENSED MEDICINES FOR UNLICENSED APPLICATIONS IN PAEDIATRIC PRACTICE

Policy statement produced by the joint RCPCH/NPPG Standing Committee on medicines. Updated October 2013

Summary

Those who prescribe for a child should choose the medicine which offers the best prospect for that child, aware that such prescribing may be constrained by the availability of resources. Children should be able to receive medicines that are safe, effective, appropriate for their condition, palatable and available with minimal clinical risk.

The informed use of some unlicensed medicines or licensed medicines for unlicensed applications is necessary in paediatric practice.

Health professionals should have access to reliable and up-to-date information where possible on any medicine they prescribe, dispense or administer, and on its availability.

In general, it is not necessary to take additional steps, beyond those taken when prescribing licensed medicines, to obtain the consent of parents, carers and child patients to prescribe or administer unlicensed medicines or licensed medicines for unlicensed applications.

NHS Trusts and Health Authorities should support therapeutic practices that are advocated by a respectable, responsible body of professional opinion.

Where available an appropriate licensed preparation should be prescribed and supplied in preference to an unlicensed preparation.

The Committee working in partnership with the WellChild charity has produced leaflets on medicines, including one on Unlicensed Medicines which explains why it may be necessary to prescribe unlicensed medicines or to use licensed medicines for unlicensed applications. This leaflet is available via the website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk, where other Medicines for Children: Information for Parents/Carers leaflets are freely available to download.