Moral responsibility to attain thorough pediatric drug labeling

Abstract

Many drugs used in children have not been labeled for pediatric use. While this was the standard for many years, recent regulations and incentives have improved the depth and breadth of pediatric drug labeling. Nonetheless, common pediatric drugs have not been adequately labeled, particularly generic and orphaned drugs and drugs that were approved for one age group but never tested in other age groups. Anesthesiologists have a moral responsibility to encourage government, pharmaceutical companies, and researchers to study drugs in children.