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ISSUE 2 APRIL
Letters to the Editor

Paediatric formulations

The Editorial Executive Committee welcomes letters, which should be less than 250 words. Before a decision to publish is made, letters which refer to a published article may be sent to the author for a response. Any letter may be sent to an expert for comment. When letters are published, they are usually accompanied in the same issue by their responses or comments. The Committee screens out discourteous, inaccurate or libellous statements. The letters are sub-edited before publication. Authors are required to declare any conflicts of interest. The Committee's decision on publication is final.

 

Letter to the editor

Editor, – The editorial 'Why are children still therapeutic orphans?' (Aust Prescr 2003;26:122-3) rightly says '... even if a drug has good evidence of paediatric efficacy and safety, it may be unavailable in formulations ... that are suitable for children. 'This may be true in developed countries, but in developing countries like India the situation is the other way round. We have many uncalled for paediatric formulations and combinations that probably do more harm than good.

Take for example the paediatric formulations and combinations of paracetamol, used for musculoskeletal disorders. There are:

  • ten formulations of paracetamol (including syrup, suspension and dispersible tablets)
  • three formulations containing paracetamol and ibuprofen
  • one formulation containing paracetamol and ibuprofen with simethicone
  • one formulation containing paracetamol and ibuprofen with magnesium trisilicate
  • two formulations containing paracetamol and metoclopramide
  • one formulation containing paracetamol and domperidone
  • five formulations containing paracetamol and nimesulid.

In addition, there are many more paediatric formulations containing fixed dose combinations of paracetamol available to treat disorders of the respiratory system.

Wishvas Rane
Pune
India