(Undark) – When drugs get approved, it’s usually on the basis of how they function in adults. This holds true for nearly all conditions, including mental health disorders, cancer, and rare diseases.

As a result, children are usually prescribed medication “off-label,” meaning the drug is being used differently from what’s specifically outlined on the package insert. Most drugs used for newborns are given off-label, as well as about half of those prescribed for older children, said Vivianna Guzman, executive director of I-ACT for Children, a nonprofit seeking to improve children’s access to drugs. (Read More)