Check BNF-C to ensure children given correct drugs
An independent survey of 600 health professionals conducted on behalf of the British
National Formulary for Children found that 74 per cent of health professionals used the formulary as their first source of information about the use of medicines in children. In addition, 70 per cent of those surveyed thought the BNF-C had made them more aware of suitable medicines and treatments and 40 per cent believed the BNF-C had changed their clinical practice.
Martin Kendall, chairman of the development committee for the BNF-C,
believes that there is a real risk that children may not be given the
right prescriptions for the medicines they need unless all prescribers
consult the latest edition of BNF-C. “When sick children need drug
treatment it is important to ensure that they get the right drug, the
right dose, and in the right form. Up-to-date guidance, approved by national
experts, is only available in the BNF-C,” he said. “Prescribers,
whether doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists or others, should always
consult the BNF-C when in any doubt before treating children. Students,
the prescribers of tomorrow, who will be treating children soon, should
regard the BNF-C as their training manual.”
The third edition of BNF-C has now been launched.
The BNF-C 2007 gives details of a new immunisation schedule for vaccination
against meningitis and other potentially fatal infections, as well as
updates on the management of childhood obesity, attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder, asthma and epilepsy.
In addition, it now highlights psychiatric reactions associated with
systemic corticosteroids and includes advice on the safe use of desmopressin
for nocturnal enuresis. Tables that allow children’s body surface
area to be estimated from their weight have also been added.
The BNF-C is available in
print and online
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