Children are not small adults. Their bodies function differently, which is why they react differently to medication. For example: babies metabolise medication more slowly and excrete it more slowly. Some medicines can even affect growth and development. For this reason, particular care must be taken when prescribing and dispensing medication to children.

• Many medicines were originally developed for adults and are not suitable for children.
• Small children are usually unable to swallow tablets.
• If a syrup tastes bad, children often refuse to take it.

A drug may only be officially used in children if it has been tested in clinical trials for the respective age group.
The problem: new drugs are often developed first - or even exclusively - for adults. This is the case worldwide.

Lack of studies and appropriate forms
Even with drugs that have been around for a long time, there is often a lack of studies on efficacy and safety in children - especially in newborns and infants.

Often there is also a lack of

• Suitable dosages for children, babies and toddlers,
• suitable forms such as suppositories, drops or syrup.

• The market for paediatric drugs is smaller.
• Studies with children are more difficult to conduct.
• Children are not a uniform group: a premature baby is not comparable with a 15-year-old teenager.

Whether a medicine is suitable for children and adolescents is stated in the information for healthcare professionals (for doctors and pharmacists) and in the package leaflet.
There are usually clear instructions for newer medicines. In the past, this information was often missing for older medicines.
Between 2003 and 2009, work was carried out on this, and today almost all medicine information should contain clear information on use in children - including age information.

If a medicine is labelled "mg/kg body weight", this does not automatically mean that it is approved for children. This information alone is not sufficient to authorise its use in children.