Physicians caring for Canadian children are frequently denied easy access to important prescribing information. The reason? The pharmaceutical industry generally has not submitted evidence in its possession supporting safe pedi-atric doses and dosing intervals to Health Canada. As a result, the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS), the most widely used source of prescribing information for primary care providers and pediatricians, is littered with the statement that safety and efficacy have not been established in the pediatric population. The statement is often untrue.Accurate pediatric prescribing information in all official documents including product inserts, labels on medications, the CPS, advertising and, frequently, national guidelines depends on manufacturers to bring forward evidence for a pediatric indication. Once approved, label wording is agreed upon between regulatory authorities such as Health Canada and manufacturers.
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