title: The development of pharmacological treatment of obesity in children. A European regulatory perspective.
abstract: Childhood obesity is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Current treatment recommendations consider the role of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of childhood obesity, as an adjunct to lifestyle modifications. This article focuses on key requirements for paediatric development of medicines for obesity in Europe with reference to the European Medicines Agency guideline and a review of Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIP) submitted for this condition, under Regulation (EC) No. 1901/2006 on medicines for paediatric use. To date the European Medicines Agency (EMA) received four paediatric investigation plans for childhood obesity. Issues encountered during the assessment of paediatric investigation plans were all related to the characteristics of the patient population, trial design, choice of endpoints, and safety aspects. Although the number of paediatric investigation plans submitted to the European Medicines Agency thus far is limited, current experience highlights the need for clinical trial protocols that are in line with the specific European guideline. Divergent approaches should be discussed with regulatory authorities before paediatric trials are initiated and included in paediatric investigation plans.
authors.affiliation: Human Medicines Special Areas, European Medicines Agency, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Janina.Karres@ema.europa.eu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karres
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomasi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saint Raymond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D005060:Europe; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends*; D005858:Germany; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents