British National Formulary for Children 2008 edition is now available on MedicinesComplete
Numerous changes are made for each new edition of BNF for Children. An overview of some of the most significant changes is available here.
British National Formulary for Children 2006 edition now available on MedicinesComplete
The British National Formulary for Children 2006 edition is now available on MedicinesComplete.
Please select the BNFC logo on the MedicinesComplete homepage for further information.
New guide launched to transform medicines for children
A new guide which will transform doctors' access to advice on children's medicines was launched yesterday at the British Medical Association.
The handbook - BNF for Children (BNFC) - is the first comprehensive information resource for doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals on medicines for children
The guide covers newborn babies to 18-year olds and gives a range of guidance, from choosing the best available drug to specific doses and formulations - information doctors normally have to research from multiple sources
Doctors and other prescribers currently use the British National Formulary (BNF) - the 'drugs bible' - as their medicines reference manual. The BNF provides general information on children's medicines but, as prescribing for children has become more complex, healthcare professionals need a source of more specialist information.
Dr George Rylance of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, who chaired the BNFC formulary committee, commented:
"When treating children dosages must be tailored for each child, calculated by weight and age. Until now the information doctors needed to do this was not easily or readily available when they needed it - during a consultation for instance.
Most drugs for everyday children's ailments are licensed for paediatric use. But drugs developed for adults are not always tested for use in children. For complicated or more serious conditions doctors often need to use drugs tested in adults which have not been specifically licensed for children (off-label prescribing), or which are not routinely available (unlicensed prescribing).
The new guide will bring all this information together in one reliable source. It's a great step forward for children's medicine. For the first time, all doctors will have the latest advice at their fingertips."
The BNFC will play a key part in a European initiative, led by the UK, to develop more treatments for children and expand research and information in the field.
Ian Costello, lead editor of BNFC said:
"Updated every year the BNFC will continue to develop, including innovative treatments and new evidence as they become available. This guide will set a new standard - wherever you live in the UK, your doctor will have the latest information on the best treatment for your child"
Health Minister Jane Kennedy said:
"The new BNF for Children is a very exciting development and an important tool in improving the quality of prescribing medicines for children. This is why we are investing £1.8 million in this project and ensuring that 175,000 copies of the BNF are provided free of charge for doctors and other prescribers of paediatric medicines in the NHS."
