Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Editorials

Prescribing medicines for children

BMJ 1999; 319 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.319.7202.70 (Published 10 July 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;319:70

Rapid Response:

Why drug companies may be reluctant to test their products in children

It would seem to me that one reason that drug companies are reluctant
to test their products in children is the enormous cost of litigation that
would follow should a disastrous side effect occur.

The prudent drug company is unlikely to want to incur a potential
risk that could hang over them for many years.

Competing interests: No competing interests

11 July 1999
Kevin Pearce
GP
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