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Our vision
Our vision is that any parent or carer, wherever they are, has information on their child’s medicines that they can trust.
What we offer
Our medicines information pages cover many of the medicines that are prescribed or recommended for children by health professionals. They answer frequent questions, such as how and when to give the medicine, what to do if you forget to give the medicine, and any possible side-effects.
You can also read information or watch our short videos about giving different types of medicines, including tablets, capsules, liquid medicine, inhalers, eye drops/ointment and ear drops.
Who are we?
Medicines for Children is a partnership programme of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG) and WellChild. Read more about us and our work.
Latest news
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Helping your child to swallow tablets – new resources from Kidzmed
Being able to swallow tablets is an important life skill that children need to learn. The Kidzmed programme has developed a guide to help children and young people learn to swallow tablets using six simple steps.
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Benji the bear talks about drooling
Drooling is a common problem in children with cerebral palsy and other conditions that affect the nerves and muscles in the mouth. Drooling can be distressing for children and their families; however treatments are available. Medically, drooling is known as sialorrhoea.
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Medicines for Children’s 2024 highlights
2024 was another busy and productive year for the Medicines for Children team. As we look ahead to 2025, it is important to reflect on some of the main achievements from the last 12 months, and to take this opportunity to thank the healthcare professionals and families who gave up their time and expertise to help us to develop new materials for the website.
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Celebrating 30 years of our programme partner, the NPPG
The Medicines for Children team were invited to meet the paediatric pharmacists and technicians from the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group at their 30th annual conference in November 2024. The NPPG is a valued partner of Medicines for Children since the programme started back in 2006.
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Introducing new acknowledgment certificates for developing medicines information
Medicines for Children has introduced official letters of acknowledgment for health professionals contributing to our medicine information leaflets for families. These documents can be used as evidence for personal development portfolios or CPD. This initiative seeks to support contributors who volunteer their time to Medicines for Children, ensuring more families receive clear and accurate information on their children's medicines. Backdated certificates are offered to those who have participated previously.
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Concerns raised about overuse of ‘PPIs’ in babies
Research published over the summer raised concerns that some babies may be receiving unnecessary treatment for regurgitation (reflux) using a type of medicine called proton pump inhibitors, shortened to PPIs. These include omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole. This Medicines for Children news item explains what PPIs are and whether they are helpful in babies.
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