Igor Anatolyevich Narkevich , Oksana Dmitrievna Nemyatykh , Daria Mikhailovna Medvedeva

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of palliative medicines for children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of children up to 19 years of age who need pediatric palliative care may be as high as 21 million each year. Every year, over 180 thousand children need pediatric palliative care in Russia. The object of the research was a variety of medicines used by St. Petersburg Children’s Hospice. Data processing was carried out by methods of content analysis, aggregation of data, and comparative analysis. It was found that antiepileptics N03 (10%), antibacterials for systemic use J01 (7%), and analgesics N02 (7%) dominate in a range of palliative medicines for children. Content analysis of drug prescribing information showed that 25 percent of medicines used in the hospice are unlicensed for usage in the pediatric population. It was identified that 92 percent of palliative medicines do not have pediatric dosage forms. It was shown that 39 percent of medicines are not included in the List of Vital and Essential Drugs. The paper shows perspective for the future research evidence base in pediatric palliative care that will result in an increase in the number of available medicines with appropriate formulations to provide symptom management for children with life-limiting illnesses‎.

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