The pediatric exclusivity program has been successful in encouraging drug studies in children. However, the dissemination of these results in the peer-reviewed literature is limited. Mechanisms to more widely disperse this information through publication warrant further evaluation.
Critical changes in drug labeling for pediatric patients illustrate that unique pediatric dosing often is necessary, reflecting growth and maturational stages of pediatric patients. These changes provide evidence that pediatric dosing should not be determined by simply applying weight-based calculations to the adult dose. Drug clearance is highly variable in the pediatric population and is not readily predictable on the basis of adult information.
WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Most therapeutic products used in children have not been studied in that population. There is a need for special incentives and market protection (pediatric exclusivity) to compensate drug sponsors for studying these products in children.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Of 189 products studied under pediatric exclusivity, 173 (92%) received new labeling information. Pediatric efficacy was not established for 78 (42%), including 81% of oncology drugs. Probability of demonstrating efficacy was related to therapeutic area and year exclusivity was granted. abstract BACKGROUND: Besides vaccines and otitis media medicines, most products prescribed for children have not been studied in the pediatric population. To remedy this, Congress enacted legislation in 1997, known as pediatric exclusivity (PE), which provides 6 months of additional market protection to drug sponsors in exchange for studying their products in children. METHODS:We reviewed requests for pediatric studies and subsequent labeling for drugs granted PE from 1998 through 2012. Regression analysis estimates the probability of demonstrating efficacy in PE trials. Variables include therapeutic group, year of exclusivity, product sales, initiation process, and small disease population.RESULTS: From 1998 through 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration issued 401 pediatric study requests. For 189 drugs, studies were completed and granted exclusivity. A total of 173 drugs (92%) received new pediatric labeling, with 108 (57%) receiving a new or expanded pediatric indication. Three drugs had non-efficacy trials. Efficacy was not established for 78 drugs. Oncology, cardiovascular, and endocrine drugs were less likely to demonstrate efficacy (P , .01) compared with gastrointestinal and pain/anesthesia drugs. Drugs studied later in the program were less likely to demonstrate efficacy (P , .05). Sales, initiation process, and small disease population were not significant predictors.CONCLUSIONS: Most drugs (173; 92%) granted exclusivity added pediatric information to their labeling as a result of PE, with 108 (57%) receiving a new or expanded pediatric indication. Therapeutic area and year of exclusivity influenced the likelihood of obtaining a pediatric indication. Positive and negative outcomes continue to inform the construct of future pediatric trials. Pediatrics 2014;134:e512-e518 AUTHORS:
Importance Federal legislation has led to a notable increase in pediatric studies submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), resulting in new pediatric information in product labeling. However, approximately 50% of drug labels still have insufficient information on safety, efficacy, or dosing in children. Neonatal information in labeling is even scarcer because neonates comprise a vulnerable subpopulation for which end point development is lagging and studies are more challenging. Objective To quantify progress made in neonatal studies and neonatal information in product labeling as result of recent legislation. Design 1. Cohort of neonatal drug studies; and 2. Cohort of infants exposed to these drugs.. Setting 1. Neonatal drug studies: FDA website; 2. National review: infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Participants 1) We identified drug studies between 1997 and 2010 that included neonates as a result of pediatric legislation using information available on the FDA website. We determined what studies were published in the medical literature, the legislation responsible for the studies, and the resulting neonatal labeling changes. 2) We then examined the use of these drugs in neonates admitted to 290 NICUs (the Pediatrix Data Warehouse) in the United States from 2005–2010. Exposures Infants exposed to a drug studied in neonates as identified by the FDA website Main outcome measures Number of drug studies with neonates and rate of exposure per 1000 admission among infants admitted to a NICU Results In a review of the FDA databases, we identified 28 drugs studied in neonates and 24 related labeling changes. Forty-one studies encompassed the 28 drugs, and 31 (76%) of these were published. Eleven (46%) of the 24 neonatal labeling changes established safety and effectiveness. In a review of a cohort of 446,335 hospitalized infants, we identified 399 drugs used and 1,525,739 drug exposures in the first 28 postnatal days. Thirteen (46%) of the 28 drugs studied in neonates were not used in NICUs; 8 (29%) were used in fewer than 60 neonates. Of the drugs studied, ranitidine was used most often (15,627 neonates, 35 exposures per 1000 admissions). Conclusions and Relevance Few drug labeling changes made under pediatric legislation include neonates. Most drugs studied are either not used or rarely used in U.S. NICUs. Strategies to increase the study of safe and effective drugs for neonates are needed.
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