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NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network: improving children's health through clinical research

Andrew C Rose1, William Van't Hoff, Michael W Beresford

  • 1NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN), Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK.

Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
|September 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Unlicensed medicine use in children necessitates evaluation. The EU Paediatric Regulation and the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) in England aim to improve pediatric medicine research and collaboration across Europe for better children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Medicinal Research
  • Regulatory Science

Background:

  • Pervasive use of unlicensed medicines in pediatric populations highlights a critical need for evidence-based evaluation.
  • The European Union (EU) Paediatric Regulation was enacted to address these concerns regarding pediatric medicine use.
  • The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) was established in England to support pediatric medicine research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the establishment and function of the NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) in England.
  • To describe the role of MCRN within the European Network of Paediatric Research at the European Medicines Agency (Enpr-EMA).
  • To emphasize the collaborative efforts to improve the conduct of research for the benefit of children's health.

Main Methods:

  • The establishment of the MCRN was a direct outcome of the EU Paediatric Regulation.
  • MCRN provides support for public and industry-sponsored studies, including feasibility, site setup, and patient recruitment.
  • MCRN actively participates in Enpr-EMA, fostering European-wide research coordination and collaboration.

Main Results:

  • The MCRN supports a range of pediatric medicine research activities.
  • Collaboration through Enpr-EMA facilitates a coordinated approach to pediatric research across Europe.
  • MCRN's engagement with industry and other networks enhances research conduct.

Conclusions:

  • The MCRN plays a vital role in addressing the need for evaluated medicines in children.
  • European collaboration through Enpr-EMA is crucial for advancing pediatric medicine research.
  • Improved research conduct, supported by networks like MCRN, directly benefits children's health outcomes.

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