Changing inhalers in children and young people (CYP) – reminder for extra care as not all inhalers are licensed for use in CYP

Confusion between licensing for inhalers in children versus adults has led to incidents where children and young people have been changed from a licensed inhaler suitable for use in children to an unlicensed inhaler.   In these cases, patients were changed from Seretide (licensed from 12 years) to Sereflo (unlicensed under 18 years).  Prescribing support tools are available to clinicians to support appropriate inhaler choice.  HWE ICB is requesting community pharmacy colleagues to support them to ensure that prescribers are aware of the licensing restrictions relating to inhaler use in children and young people.