PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A. R. Smyth
AU  - A. Barbato
AU  - N. Beydon
AU  - H. Bisgaard
AU  - K. de Boeck
AU  - P. Brand
AU  - A. Bush
AU  - B. Fauroux
AU  - J. de Jongste
AU  - M. Korppi
AU  - C. O’Callaghan
AU  - M. Pijnenburg
AU  - F. Ratjen
AU  - K. Southern
AU  - D. Spencer
AU  - A. Thomson
AU  - H. Vyas
AU  - A. Warris
AU  - P. J. Merkus
TI  - Respiratory medicines for children: current evidence, unlicensed use and research priorities
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00139508
DP  - 2010 Feb 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 247--265
VI  - 35
IP  - 2
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/35/2/247.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/35/2/247.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2010 Feb 01; 35
AB  - This European Respiratory Society task force has reviewed the evidence for paediatric medicines in respiratory disease occurring in adults and children. We describe off-licence use, research priorities and ongoing studies. Off-licence and off-label prescribing in children is widespread and potentially harmful. Research areas in asthma include novel formulations and regimens, and individualised prescribing. In cystic fibrosis, future studies will focus on screened infants and robust outcome measures are needed. Other areas include new enzyme and antibiotic formulations and the basic defect. Research into pneumonia should include evaluation of new antibacterials and regimens, rapid diagnostic tests and, in pleural infection, antibiotic penetration, fibrinolytics and surveillance. In uncommon conditions, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, congenital pulmonary abnormalities or neuromuscular disorders, drugs indicated for other conditions (e.g. dornase alfa) are commonly used and trials are needed. In neuromuscular disorders, the β-agonists may enhance muscle strength and are in need of evaluation. Studies of antibiotic prophylaxis, immunoglobulin and antifungal drugs are needed in immune deficiency. We hope that this summary of the evidence for respiratory medicines in children, highlighting gaps and research priorities, will be useful for the pharmaceutical industry, the paediatric committee of the European Medicines Agency, academic investigators and the lay public.