The widespread practice of prescribing drugs for children, which have not been specifically approved for pediatric use, calls for better drug testing to ensure their safety. There is considerable concern within Europe and the United States about the use of unlicensed or off label drugs in children.
Nearly half of the 2,262 prescriptions the investigators studied fell into the unlicensed and off label use. Off label use of some drugs may present unknown hazards. The authors cite as a particular concern the use of inhaled steroids for asthmatic children under the age of 2 years, who could experience growth suppression with such treatment.
British Medical Journal January 8, 2000;320:79-82
