Children Not ‘Mini Adults’ With Medicine Dosages

Children Not ‘Mini Adults’ When It Comes To Medicine Dosages

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) stresses the importance of seeking professional health advice from a community pharmacist before treating young children with influenza symptoms.

Parents can currently access advice online from the Ministry of Health on providing Tamiflu to children who are one year or older and need a dose that is “different to that available in capsule form”.

“Children are not mini adults,” says Guild President and pharmacy owner Ian Johnson.

“It is not good practice for parents to be mixing up paediatric doses at home for their children. Talk to your community pharmacist before treating young children who have influenza symptoms. Pharmacists are easily accessible and well positioned to educate parents about what medicine is appropriate and what dose to take. They will ensure that the medicines are safe and appropriate for your child.”

The Guild urges parents that the advice from the Ministry of Health should not be taken in isolation. “It is never safe for parents to adjust any medicine doses for their young children,” says Ian.

To read the advice from the Ministry of Health, go to http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/Files/swineflu/$file/tamiflu-cannot-swallow-capsules.pdf

ENDS

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