Evaluating available pharmacist-recommended medicines for paediatric patients

Abstract

Pediatrics are most of the time defined as 'therapeutic orphans' as there is limited knowledge on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs in the population. Moreover, there are constraints in formulations that are accessible to pediatric patients including dosage from route of administration characteristics. Availability and scientific data for products that may be recommended by pharmacists upon presentation of symptoms for pediatrics varies. Pharmacists play extensive role as highly accessible primary health care workers who can provide information regarding medicines use in the pediatric population particularly related to management of minor symptoms. Against this background community pharmacists require access to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics data of medicines to be able to guide evidence-based use of medicines in the pediatric population.