title: Challenges in pediatric drug use: A pharmacist point of view.
abstract: The pediatric population is an enormously diverse segment of population varying both in size and age. The diversity caused pharmacists face various challenges primarily related to procuring, provision as well as use of drugs in this group of patients. Pediatric dose calculation is particularly a concern for pharmacists. Another challenge faced by pharmacists is unavailability of suitable formulations for pediatric use. This has also led many pharmacists to prepare extemporaneous liquid preparations, even though stability data on such preparations are scarce. Some extemporaneous preparations contain excipients which are potentially harmful in children. Besides that, inadequate labeling and drug information for pediatric drug use had not only challenged pharmacists in recommending and optimizing drug use in children, but also inadvertently caused many drugs used outside the approved terms of the product license (off-label use). Pharmacists are striving to stay connected to overcome the common and comparable challenges faced in their day to day duties and strive to maximize the safe and effective use of medicines for children.
authors: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Balan
authors: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia. Electronic address: azmihassali@gmail.com.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Hassali
authors: School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: V S L
authors: VSL
authors: Mak
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004355:Drug Stability; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D056687:Off-Label Use; D010372:Pediatrics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role
chemical_list: D005079:Excipients; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Challenges; Children; Pediatric; Pharmacists