Draft National Priority List of Pediatric Drugs

The draft National Priority List of Pediatric Drugs is a list of medicinal ingredients that the Pediatric External Reference Group has identified to address areas of unmet pediatric needs in Canada.

The medicinal ingredients on the draft list fall under one of the following categories:

The draft list includes line listings of ingredients and any applicable qualifiers. Qualifiers for medicinal ingredients that are not on the Canadian market are indicated by n/a (not applicable) in the table. A relevant qualifier is provided where the specific route of administration is relevant or where the medicinal ingredient exists in multiple formats and the identified need is particular.

Child-friendly drug formats are formulations that are more easily adjustable for pediatric dosing requirements. They often taste better than adult drugs and are easier to give to children. Some examples of child-friendly oral route drug formats include oral liquids, oral dispersible tablets and granules for suspension.

Drugs not currently available in Canada
Medicinal ingredient contained in drug Qualifier
Albendazole n/a
Ceftazidime-Avibactam In combination
Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) n/a
Deflazacort n/a
Fish oil triglycerides Emulsion, intravenous route, when recommended for treating parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in pediatric patients
Glucarpidase n/a
Griseofulvin n/a
Ibuprofen lysine n/a
Sargramostim n/a
Sodium benzoate, Sodium phenylacetate In combination
Sulfadiazine n/a
Sulthiame n/a
Zonisamide n/a
On-market drugs needing child-friendly formats only
Cyclopentolate-Phenylephrine In combination
Atomoxetine Oral route
Baclofen Oral route
Bosentan Oral route
Calcitriol Oral route
Clobazam Oral route
Dexamethasone Oral route
Diazoxide Oral route
Mercaptopurine Oral route
Prednisolone Oral route, high concentration
Rifampin Intravenous route
Tacrolimus Oral route
On-market drugs needing pediatric indications only
Brentuximab When recommended for treating high-risk classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Fluoxetine Pediatric indication
Risperidone Pediatric indication, when recommended for treating psychotic disorders
Rituximab Pediatric indication
On-market drugs needing pediatric indications and child-friendly formats
Aripiprazole Oral route, when recommended for treating irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder or for treating Tourette's disorder
Domperidone Oral route, pediatric indication
Escitalopram Oral route, pediatric indication
Hydroxocobalamin Intramuscular route, when recommended for treating conditions leading to Vitamin B 12 deficiency
Hydroxyurea Oral route, when recommended for treating sickle cell disease
Midazolam Nasal route, when recommended for treating acute seizure activity
Nevirapine Oral route, extension of pediatric indication
Raltegravir Oral route, extension of pediatric indication
Sildenafil Oral route, pediatric indication
Sotalol Oral route, pediatric indication
Spironolactone Oral route, pediatric indication
Tofacitinib Oral route, extension of pediatric indication
Ursodiol Oral route, pediatric indication

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