Unlicensed Medicines for Children – Use Standard Strengths

The Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists’ Group (NPPG) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have issued a joint statement on using standardised strengths of unlicensed liquid medicines in children.

The two bodies strongly recommend that when children require unlicensed liquid medications, they should receive the RCPCH- and NPPG- recommended strength, where one exists. There are currently 17 such recommended strengths, 16 of which are published in relevant drug monographs of the BNF for Children. Standardising the prescribed strengths of these medicines, will reduce the risk of errors being made in the doses given to children and prevent hospitalisation from accidental under- and overdoses.