Background: Studies have examined the extent to which public policies such as the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act have increased pediatric information in drug labeling. Little attention has focused on pediatric labeling of biologics. This analysis examines the extent to which biologics are labeled for pediatric use or have been studied in children.
Methods: The analysis covers the 96 biologics (excluding vaccines) that were first licensed by the Food and Drug Administration between 1997 and 2010 and were still marketed as of 2010. Product labeling was consulted for information on approved pediatric uses, pediatric studies, or pediatric safety warnings based on analyses of adverse events. The online database ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for registered pediatric studies of these biologics. A separate analysis examined labeling and studies for 55 vaccines.
Results: For ∼60% of the 96 biologics, labeling shows approved pediatric use or pediatric study information or both. Approximately 85% of the biologics have ≥1 registered pediatric trial completed, underway, or planned. Overall, ∼90% are labeled for pediatric use, have pediatric information in the label, have a registered pediatric study, or have some combination of these characteristics. For the 55 analyzed vaccines, the corresponding figure is 95%.
Conclusions: A majority of biologics approved in the past 15 years include some pediatric information in their labeling, and pediatric trials have been registered for a substantial majority of these products.