Annotated examples illustrating assessment decisions
Drug name (API) | WHO suggested formulation | Strength | Age group key code | EMLc 2019 assessment (3=yes, 2=maybe, 1=no, 0=n/a) | Reasoning for assessment and comments |
Amoxicillin | Powder for oral liquid | 125 mg/5 mL | N | 3 | Doses can be administered in volumes <10 mL |
I | 3 | ||||
T | 3 | ||||
YC | 3 | ||||
OC | 3 | ||||
250 mg/5 mL | N | 3 | |||
I | 3 | ||||
T | 3 | ||||
YC | 3 | ||||
OC | 3 | ||||
Solid oral dosage form | 250 mg | N | 1 | <6 years cannot swallow conventional-sized tablet/capsule safely | |
I | 1 | ||||
T | 1 | ||||
YC | 1 | ||||
OC | 3 | Can swallow tablet | |||
500 mg | N | 1 | <6 years cannot swallow conventional-sized tablet/capsule safely | ||
I | 1 | ||||
T | 1 | ||||
YC | 1 | ||||
OC | 2 | Dose strength too high for the normal dose | |||
Isoniazid | Oral liquid | 50 mg/5 mL | N | 0 | MFc: infant or child >3 months |
I | 2 | Dose volume >5 mL for some weight groups | |||
T | 2 | ||||
YC | 2 | Dose volume >10 mL | |||
OC | 2 | ||||
Tablet | 100–300 mg | N | 0 | MFc: infant or child >3 months | |
I | 1 | <6 years cannot swallow tablet; no indication that tablet can be crushed | |||
T | 1 | ||||
YC | 1 | ||||
OC | 3 | Adaptable and swallowable across the weight group | |||
Tablet, dispersible | 100 mg | N | 0 | MFc: infant or child >3 months | |
I | 2 | Dose strength too high for the lower weight group | |||
T | 3 | Dose strength allows for 1–2 tablets | |||
YC | 3 | ||||
OC | 2 | >3 tablets at higher weight group | |||
Tablet, scored | 50 mg | N | 0 | MFc: infant or child >3 months | |
I | 1 | <6 years cannot swallow tablet; no indication that tablet can be crushed | |||
T | 1 | ||||
YC | 1 | ||||
OC | 3 | Adaptable and swallowable across the weight group |
The category 2 (may be appropriate) include such medicines as those indicated for use for some children within a particular age-group range but not all, for example, only suitable for a child from 10 years within the age group 6–11 years, without any dose accuracy or swallowability issues.
BNFc, British National Formulary for children; I, infants; MFc, Model Formulary for children; n, neonates; n/a, not available; OC, older children; T, toddlers; YC, young children.