Introducing new acknowledgment certificates for developing medicines information

Medicines for Children has launched a new initiative offering letters of acknowledgment and certificates to health professionals who volunteer their time to the development or review of medicine information leaflets. These documents, which can be used as evidence for personal development portfolios (CPD), were first offered in September 2024.

These letters of acknowledgement have been introduced with an aim to recognise the valuable input of clinicians who offer their time to create or review medicines leaflets, ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to practical and up to date information about their children’s medicines. Certificates are also being offered for those who have contributed in the past in recognition of work that has previously been completed before this scheme was bought in.

Health professionals from various fields, including paediatricians, pharmacists, nurses, and other prescribing professionals, are encouraged to get involved by volunteering their expertise. Whether helping to draft new content or reviewing existing leaflets, the participation of experienced child health professionals plays a vital role in ensuring that families have a source of accessible and trustworthy medical advice.

It usually takes authors 30–45 minutes to review an existing (published) medicine leaflet, to ensure that the information on there is still accurate. It takes around two hours to develop a new medicine information leaflet, depending on the complexity of how the medicine is given. Close support is offered from the Medicines for Children team to anyone who volunteers their time and they will work with you through the process. The full list of medicines that are currently awaiting an author to begin development work is available to view here.

For more information on how to contribute and receive recognition, please visit our webpage on the development of new medicines information.